Living in Leuven

Transcription

Living in Leuven

Living in Leuven
2012-2013
contents
1 Foreword 7
2 Introduction 8
3 Upon arrival 20
4 During your stay
52
4.1. Offices & services for
international students 52
4.2. Studying in Leuven 62
4.2.1. Educational system 62
3.1. Formalities 20
4.2.2.Libraries 69
3.2. Accommodation 28
4.2.3. Language schools 71
4.2.4.ACCO 74
3.3. Health Insurance &
other types of insurance 3.4. Money matters
3.5. Living Cost 3.6. Welcome and integration
programmes 37
45
46
49
4.3. Day-to-Day Life 75
4.3.1. the Health Care System 75
4.3.2. Student Restaurants 77
4.3.3.Shopping 77
4.3.4.Laundrettes 79
4.3.5.Environment 79
4.3.6.Transportation 82
4.3.7. Communications &
Postal Services 85
4.3.8.Sports 90
4.3.9.Culture 93
4.3.10. Religion & Worship 99
Births, Marriages, Deaths 102
4.3.11.
4.3.12.Schools & Child Care 103
4.4. Student organisations 109
4.5. Police, safety 121
5 Leaving Leuven
125
5.1. Formalities while leaving for
a short time 125
5.2. Leaving Leuven definitely formalities and practicalities 125
3
Useful Phonenumbers
Emergency Services
(see also on p. 121)
• Ambulance and Fire Department 100
• Police Emergency 101
Hospital – emergency department
(Spoedgevallen):
• Go to the emergency department at the
Regional Hospital ‘Heilig-Hart’,
• Naamsestraat 105 or University Hospital
Gasthuisberg, Herestraat
• KU Leuven Emergency tel. 016 32 22 22
• Medical Centre for Students KU Leuven,
GROUP T, Lemmensinstituut and
• Vlerick management school
(working days 8 AM - PM) tel. 016 32 44 20
• After hour family doctor
(night, weekend, holidays) tel. 070 25 70 25
Services for international
students and guests
• KU Leuven International Admissions and
Mobility Unit tel. 016 32 40 78
• Pangaea, International Meeting Centre
tel. 016 32 33 96
• LOKO International tel. 016 32 33 95
• LOKO Central (Student Body Council)
tel. 016 22 31 09
• Foreigners’ Office (City of Leuven)
tel. 016 27 21 94
• Student Cop tel. 016 21 09 00
• Anti-Discrimination Centre
(Meldpunt Discriminatie) tel. 016 27 26 00
4
Student Services (General)
• KU Leuven tel. 016 32 43 75
• KHLeuven vzw Studentenservice
tel. 016 37 57 47
and 016 37 57 48
• GROUP T - International University College
Leuven tel. 016 30 10 30
• Lemmensinstituut (W&K) tel. 016 23 39 67
Housing Service
• KU Leuven + KHLeuven tel. 016 32 44 00
• City of Leuven tel. 016 27 26 50
Social Service
• KU Leuven + KHLeuven tel. 016 32 44 36
• GROUP T – International University College
Leuven tel. 016 30 10 30
• Lemmensinstituut (W&K) tel. 016 23 39 67
Study Advice Service
• KU Leuven tel. 016 32 43 11
Medical Centre for Students
(KU Leuven, Group T, Lemmensinstituut
and Vlerick)
• tel. 016 32 44 20
Psychotherapeutic centre
(KU Leuven, Group T, Lemmensinstituut
and Vlerick)
• tel. 016 32 43 43
KHLeuven
Lemmensinstituut (W&K)
• tel. 016 37 57 00
• Business Studies student secretary
tel. 016 37 53 00
• Health and Technology student secretary
tel. 016 37 52 00
• Teacher Education Heverlee student secretary tel. 016 37 56 00
• Social Work student secretary
tel. 016 37 51 00
• tel. 016 23 39 67
GROUP T – International University College Leuven
• Leuven Engineering College
tel. 016 30 10 30
• Leuven Education College
tel. 016 30 11 72
Monday : Closed (except on holidays)
Tuesday :
12u00 - 14u30 & 17u30 - 23u00
Wednesday: 12u00 - 14u30 & 17u30 - 23u00
Thursday : 12u00 - 14u30 & 17u30 - 23u00
Friday:
12u00 - 14u30 & 17u30 - 23u00
Saturday :
12u00 - 14u30 & 17u30 - 23u00
Sunday :
12u00 - 14u30 & 17u30 - 23u00
Registrar’s Office
• KU Leuven tel. 016 32 40 40
• KHLeuven tel. 016 37 57 00
- Business Studies student secretary tel. 016 37 53 00
- Health and Technology student secretary tel. 016 37 52 00
- Teacher Education Heverlee student
secretary tel. 016 37 56 00
- Social Work student secretary
tel. 016 37 51 00
Tiensesteenweg 97 - 3010 Kessel-Lo
Tel. : 016 - 25 55 44
Fax : 016 - 25 53 50
[email protected]
www.chinacapital.be
5
Foreword
The City of Leuven and the Institutions of Higher
Education welcome you proudly to this city and
its various educational institutions. We have joined
forces and efforts to produce the booklet that you
now hold in your hands. “Living in Leuven” has been
written for all those who come to Leuven to pursue
studies, research or further teaching and training. It
Colofon
contains information concerning Belgium, daily life
in Leuven and the various institutions of higher edu-
Publisher:
Denise Vandevoort,
Alderman for student affairs,
City of Leuven
(Professor Van Overstraetenplein 1,
B-3000 Leuven).
cation in the city.
Editorial team:
City of Leuven, KU Leuven,
KHLeuven, GROUP T – International
University College Leuven,
Lemmensinstituut (Hogeschool voor
Wetenschap & Kunst) and LOKO.
It will also help you to better understand the Belgian
Contact:
Afdeling onderwijs en scholen,
tel. 016 27 26 17
[email protected]
Lay-out: Swinnen Printing NV
Photos: KU Leuven, KHLeuven and
City of Leuven
Print run: 5.250 ex.
Reproduction, in whole or in part, of
text, illustrations or lay-out from this
publication is, without a prior written
permission, strictly prohibited
This brochure also contains information that will
help you to deal with the practical problems that
everybody has to face when arriving in this country.
idiosyncrasies and life-style so that your daytoday life here soon becomes a positive and fruitful
experience.
Although “Living in Leuven” will not answer every
specific question, this booklet will be of most help
to you if you read it calmly and carefully. While doing
so, take account of all the cultural, administrative
and practical information contained in it. We wish
you every success and a very fruitful stay.
The Editorial Team
Advertising?
[email protected],
tel. 016 22 04 66, fax 016 22 01 03
7
introduction
2.1. Belgium
ID Belgium
Date of birth: 1830
National Feast Day: 21 July
Kingdom: King Albert II & Queen Paola,
crown prince Filip
11.007.020 inhabitants (2011)
with 360 people/ km2
6 million live in Flanders (N),
1 million in Brussels,
3,6 million in Wallonia (S)
74 000 people speek German
High living standard and excellent social
security system
Historical and beautiful towns: Antwerp,
Bruges, Gent, Tongeren, Tournai, Liège
Highest point: 694 m above sealevel
Character of the Belgians?
Belgians
• enjoy their “creature comforts”
• most own their own homes and spend a lot
of time and money in constantly renovating,
decorating and improving them
• love good food and drink
10 provinces with Leuven as the capital
of the province of Flemish-Brabant
• benefit from an excellent social security
and health-care system
6 governments: 1 federal, 5 regional
Prime minister is Mr Elio Di Rupo
(Dec 2011)
• insist on having their roads and highways
brightly lit at night (the illuminated “Belgian
Window” can apparently be seen from
space)
3 official languages:
Dutch, French and German
Political structure: Federal Government
3 Communities (Flemish, French, German)
3 Regions (Flemish, Brussels, Walloon)
= 5 regional governments
In Leuven, people speak Dutch
Brussels=capital, and capital of the European Union.
Ports: Antwerp and Sea-Bruges
Religion: mainly Catholic (75 %), but massattendance is very low, Muslim (4%), Protestant (1%)
8
• have the art of compromise: when they
disagree, they try and find the middle ground
Climate
The Belgian, maritime climate is characterized
by abundant precipitation throughout the year.
The temperature is fairly variable and moderate
(average temperature in January: 3,3°C, in July:
18,4°C). Average temperature 11,2°C. Extreme
temperatures can occur in summer and winter
time.
“You must have a lot of patience with the
Belgian weather, as the winter is long,
cloudy and cold...” (student from Greece)
Name some famous Belgians?
• Artists: Hieronymus Bosch, Pieter Brueghel,
Peter Paul Rubens, René Magritte,
Jan Fabre, James Ensor
• Musicians, singer-songwriters: Milow,
Selah Sue, Axelle Red, Johnny Halliday,
Jacques Brel, Helmut Lotti, Soeur Sourire,
Django Reinhardt (jazz), Toots Thielemans ,
• Sports men and women: Eddy Merckx,
Justine Henin, Kim Clijsters
• Politicians: Herman Van Rompuy
(First President of the European Council)
• Fashion designers: Dirk Bikkembergs,
Walter Van Beirendonck, Dries Van Noten,
Ann Demeulemeester
Belgium abroad. After all, who will take a country seriously when even its own citizens deride
it? As an international student or scholar in Belgium, you will find that most Belgians will agree
wholeheartedly with any criticism you have to
offer of their country, customs or politics.
To redress the balance, we would like to reiterate that the standard of living in Belgium is
among the highest in the world, its citizens benefit from an excellent (almost free) educational
system, universal healthcare and social-security
coverage, usually own their own homes, and
have never started or engaged in an armed conflict, either internally or internationally, except
for a futile attempt at self-defence against the
Germans in World Wars I and II.
• Fictional: Hercule Poirot, Tintin, Smurfs
• Writers: Georges Simenon, Hugo Claus
• Scientists: Gerardus Mercator (cartographer), Adolphe Quetelet (founder of
statistics, inventor BMI)
• Other famous Belgians: Victor Horta
(architect), Adolphe Sax (inventor
saxophone), Saint Father Damian,
Jean-Claude Van Damme (action-film hero)
“There Are No Belgians”
Your Majesty, there are no Belgians” – a Belgian politician once famously exclaimed to the
king. This statement exemplifies the attitude of
many Belgians towards their own country. Although the politician in question meant to refer
to the fact that Belgium is divided into different
linguistic groups, it also reflects the high degree
of self-criticism characteristic of almost all Belgians. There is no such thing as a patriotic Belgian. Attractively modest though this attitude
might seem, it does lead to a distorted image of
9
The Belgian Character
“Flemish people are quite cold at the first
time. Don’t expect a stranger to talk to
you. Some of them may be more open as
long as you get to know each other more.
It’s not because they are not nice or good.
That’s just the way they prefer. So don’t
be too shocked or think that there may be
something wrong with you.” (Student from
Vietnam in Leuven)
The one thing that most non-Belgians would
agree on when first confronted with the
Belgians on their home turf is that they are a
reserved and introverted people. This impression usually lasts until their first visit to a Belgian’s home, where they will be very cordially
welcomed and fed large amounts of excellent
food and drink.
A Belgian feels most relaxed and comfortable
in the midst of his close circle of family and
friends. Family ties are very important – witness
the weekly exodus of Belgian students from
Leuven, who routinely spend every weekend at
home with their parents and childhood friends.
Friendships are enduring; once you have made
a Belgian friend, you will find that it is very hard
to get rid of him.
Another attractive feature of the Belgian character is the trend towards egalitarianism. There
are no obscenely wide gaps in income, the rich
are never super-rich, the poor are provided for,
and the number of homeless people might well
be the smallest in the entire industrial world.
10
It is fashionable among Belgians and nonBelgians alike to complain about the level of
bureaucracy in the country and the inordinate
number of holidays that Belgians enjoy. In fact,
economic productivity is among the highest in
the world, and the anarchic streak in the Belgian
character ensures that bureaucrats never gain
the upper hand.
Belgium is also a very safe country, with a remarkably low crime rate. Brussels, according to
some surveys, is the safest capital in the world
in terms of the murder rate. Leuven, we can assure you from a lifetime of personal experience,
is without a doubt a very safe university town.
The main crime element to watch out for is bicycle thieves.
Belgian Popular Culture
Belgian beers
Try out the hundreds of delicious Belgian beers.
According to one commentator, Belgian beer
is “a heavenly liquid which Belgians have perfected thanks to centuries of intense contemplation by silent orders of monks. Beer is the
very essence of the land, the blood of the nation, heaven served in a variety of peculiarly
shaped drinking receptacles.” The world wide
spread Stella Artois beer is made in Leuven and
the community of Hoegaarden is near by!
Sinterklaas
The figure and feast of
Sinterklaas (Saint Nicholas) can create confusion among non-Belgians, often described
as the Belgian (and
Dutch) version of Santa
Claus. However, he has
no connection with
Christmas. Dressed in magnificent red robes
and a bishop’s mitre, Sinterklaas visits Belgian
(and Dutch) children’s homes on the eve of 6
December, and climbs the roof seated on his
white horse, accompanied by his faithful servant Zwarte Piet (Black Peter) to surreptitiously
deliver presents through the chimney. The Sinterklaas dates back to a legend about the 4thcentury Bishop of Smyrna (now Izmir in Turkey)
who once miraculously saved some children
from captivity and death. You will never be able
to miss this special time of the year!
Kermis
A kermis is a typically
Belgian type of fair,
complete with noisy
fairground rides, bumper cars, smoutebollen
(a variety of doughnut),
escargots (snails) and frieten (fries) stands, and
the penetrating cries of lottery ticket vendors
(“Everybody wins!”). When you arrive in Leuven during the first 3 weeks of September, you
will witness what the kermis is!
Belgian carnival
Though hardly comparable to the bacchanalia in Rio de Janeiro,
carnival in Belgium
can get very lively indeed. Some towns
with a particularly strong carnival tradition are
completely taken over by noisy parades and
rowdy drunks for two, three or even four days
before Ash Wednesday, the official end of the
carnival season. For a more artistic experience,
the carnival in Binche (Wallonia), famous for
its colourfully clad Giles with their eerie blankfaced masks, is highly recommended, and was
recently elevated to the status of a UNESCO
World Heritage tradition.
11
2.2.
Leuven
Leuven ID
‘The town of Leuven and the surroundings
are a great place for young people to live.
The university is very well organised.
The urban areas are cleaned and the air
is fresh. There are conditions for secure
bicycling everywhere.’
(Student from Bulgaria)
12
ID City of Leuven
• First mentioned in 884 as Luvanium
• Capital of the province Flemish Brabant
• Nearly 97.000 inhabitants, named
‘Pietermannen’ after the oldest parish
St-Peter’s
• 5 communities: Leuven, Heverlee,
Kessel-Lo, Wilsele and Wijgmaal
• 50.000 students (KU Leuven +
Institutions of Higher Education)
• Its population has a high average level
of education
• University is part of the town
• Employment is primarily in the tertiary
and quaternary sectors
• Other large employer: University Hospital
and Inbev (beer brewery).
• Major = Louis Tobback
• Alderman responsible for student affairs
since 2001
• Sister towns: ‘s Hertogenbosch (NL),
Rennes (F), Lüdenscheid (D),
Krakow (Poland)
• Read more on www.leuven.be/en
• Famous people who were born or live(d)
in Leuven:
− Erasmus (15th & 16th century) ,
Justus Lipsius (16th century),
Andreas Vesalius (16th C),
Mercator, Quinten Metsys,
− Recent: Kim Gevaert (runner),
Milow (singer-songwriter),
Selah Sue (singer-songwriter)
• Main events: Easter festival (days before
Eastern, Leuven in Scene (Whitsuntide),
Beleuvenissen (July),
Hapje Tapje (August), Marktrock (August),
Leuven Fair (September).
Touristic Leuven
Tourism Leuven / City Hall
Naamsestraat 1 • B-3000 Leuven
Tel. 016 20 30 20 • Fax 016 20 30 03
[email protected] • www.visitleuven.be
Dijlepark
A little park with a small lake, a romantic bridge
and a lovely green field of grass, situated between the Zwartezusterstraat and the Redingenpoort.
Tourism Leuven is located in the sidewing
of the City Hall. It is a central reception desk
where you can pick up all kinds of information
and documentation concerning leisure in Leuven. Basically, Tourism Leuven informs tourists
about how they can spend their free time in
Leuven.
You can learn about Leuven’s major sights, attractions and ongoing expositions, Moreover,
Tourism Leuven sells visitor tickets for the City
Hall. This is where you can obtain your free copy
of Leuven’s culture and leisure magazine ‘Uit in
Leuven’
Places to visit In Leuven
Student mommy
A statue for a landlady? Only in Leuven: “DE
KOTMADAM” is a landlady who let student
rooms. She used to be a second mommy to
them, making sure the got enough sleep, preparing breakfast and giving them a shoulder to
cry on, after disastrous exams…
Great Market Square (Town Hall, Saint- Peter’s
Church with the Dirk Bouts ‘last supper’-panel),
Great Beguinage with Saint John the Baptist’s Church, Saint Gertrude’s Church and Abbey (Halfmaartstraat), Saint Michael’s Church
(Naamsestraat), Botanical Garden (Kapucijnenvoer), University Library (Mgr. Ladeuzeplein),
M - Museum Leuven (Vanderkelenstraat).
Around Leuven
Park Abbey (along Geldenaaksebaan, Heverlee),
Vlierbeek Abbey (Abdijlaan, Kessel-Lo), Arenberg Castle and Park (Kardinaal Mercierlaan,
Heverlee), Provincial Recreation Park (KesselLo), Heverlee and Meerdael Forest (south of
Leuven), Zoet Water (Oud Heverlee).
13
2.3.
Institutions of Higher
Education
KU Leuven - Leuven University
Oude Markt 13 • B-3000 Leuven
Tel. 016 32 40 10 • Fax 016 32 40 14
[email protected] • www.kuleuven.be
ID KU Leuven
• Founded in 1425 and oldest university in
the Low Countries.
• Start of courses in Dutch in 1911
• 1970 split of the original alma mater into
Katholieke Universiteit Leuven and Université Catholique de Louvain (moved to
Louvain-la-Neuve)
• Its hospitality and academic excellence
have attracted men and women from all
corners of the world.
• High standards of education and research Multicultural university with 12%
of its student body coming from abroad
• 15 faculties, subdivided into three groups
(Humanities Group, Science, Engineering
and Technology Group and the Biomedical Group)
• Extensive student services
• Number of students: 40 130
• Number of international students: 6145
• Academic Staff: 5000
• Administrative Staff: 2700
• University Hospital Staff: 8000
14
Academic & holidays calendar 2012 – 2013
15 August // Assumption of Mary Day, public holiday
16 August // Start of the registration period KU Leuven for 2012-2013
3 September // Leuven Fair, all university and City Offices are closed
17-21 September // Orientation Days for new International Students KU Leuven
24 September // Opening of the Academic Year KU Leuven
25 September // Start of the classes in the first semester for all institutions
26 September // Student Welcome with concerts in town
28 October // Change to Winter Time
1 November // All Saint’s Day (public holiday)
2 November // All Souls’ Day, University and City Offices are closed
11 November // Armistice Day (End of WWI), public holiday
21 December // End of classes in the first semester
24 Dec - 6 Jan // Christmas and New Year holiday Most offices will be closed from 22 Dec until 1 Jan
7 - 13 January // Exam preparation. No classes
14 Jan - 2 Feb // KU Leuven First semester exams
4 - 10 February // Mid-year break. No classes
4 February // Patron’s Feast Day KU Leuven
6 - 10 February // Orientation Days for International Students KU Leuven
11 February // Start of classes in the second semester
25 March // Change to Summer time
1 - 14 April // Easter holidays: no classes
31 March/1 April // Easter Sunday and Easter Monday, public holiday
1 May // Labour Day, public holiday
9 May // Ascension Day, public holiday
25 May // KU Leuven End of classes in the second semester
19 & 20 May // Pentecost and Whit Monday, public holiday
27 May – 9 June // KU Leuven Exam preparation. No classes
10 June – 6 July // Second semester exams
11 July // Flemish Community Feast Day
21 July // National Feast Day, public holiday
16 August // Start of registration period for 2013-2014
19 August – 14 September // Examination Retakes
15
KHLeuven
Katholieke Hogeschool Leuven
Leuven University College
Abdij van Park 9 • B-3001 Heverlee
Tel. 016 375 700 • Fax 016 375 799
[email protected]
www.leuvenuniversitycollege.be
www.facebook.com/KHLeuvenInternational
Department of Business Studies
Hertogstraat 178 • B-3001 Heverlee
Tel. 016 375 300 • Fax 016 375 399
[email protected]
Bachelor in Business Management
Bachelor in Business Management Marketing (English)
Bachelor in Office Management
Department of Teacher Education
ID KHLeuven
Founded in 1995
4 Departments:
• Department of Business Studies
• Department of Health Care and
Technology
• Department of Social Studies
• Department of Teacher Education
• Bachelor degree courses in the areas of
education, commercial sciences and business administration, health care, industrial
sciences, and social and community work
• Advanced bachelor’s programmes, postgraduate certificates and other continuing
studies.
• Number of students: 7.500
Tel. 016 375 600 • Fax 016 375 699
[email protected]
Bachelor in Pre-primary Education
Bachelor in Primary Education
Bachelor in Lower Secondary Education
Department of Health &
Technology
Herestraat 49 • 3000 Leuven
Tel. 016 375 200 • 016 375 299
[email protected]
Bachelor in Biomedical Laboratory
Technology
Bachelor in Chemistry
Bachelor in Applied Information Technology
Bachelor in Nursing
Bachelor in Nutrition and Dietetics
Bachelor in Midwifery
• Number of staff: 650
Department of Social Studies
• Headquarters: in the Abdij van Park (Park
Abbey).
Groeneweg 151 • B-3001 Heverlee
Tel.016 375 100 • Fax 016 375 199
[email protected]
Bachelor in Social Work
Bachelor in Social Readaptation Sciences:
Children, Youth and Welfare
Advanced Bachelor in International Cooperation for North South Relations
• Its various departments operate on several campuses in and around the city.
Mission: preparing students for the job
market of the 21st century by providing
state-of-the-art higher education of the
highest quality
Academic calendar
See calendar KU Leuven (p. 15)
16
GROUP T - International
University College Leuven
Campus Vesalius
Andreas Vesaliusstraat 13
B-3000 Leuven
Tel. 016 30 10 30 • Fax 016 30 10 40
[email protected]
www.group-t.com
ID GROUP T
Founded in 1970 as “Hogere School voor
Technisch Ingenieur Groep T Leuven”.
Three closely linked schools:
• Leuven Engineering College,
• Leuven Education College
• Leuven Anticipative Continuing
Education (ACE-GROUP T).
Leuven Anticipative Continuing
Education:
Professional programmes in continuing
education. ACE-GROUP T also offers a wide
selection of language courses with a strong
focus on communication skills (Dutch, Spanish, English, French, Italian, German, Chinese, Thai and Hindi).
GROUP T has forged partnerships at home
and in Asia, resulting in exchange programmes with key universities in China,
India, in the countries of the Greater
Mekong Subregion and in Ethiopia. With a
mix of Flemish and international students its
campus is an ideal place for learning amidst
a plurality of worldviews.
Academic calendar
See calendar KU Leuven (p. 15)
Leuven Engineering College:
Undergraduate and postgraduate
programmes in engineering.
These programmes are also taught in English.
Leuven Education College:
Undergraduate teacher-training
programmes (at present in Dutch only).
Postgraduate International Educating
Classes (taught in English).
17
LEMMENSINSTITUUT
(Hogeschool voor Wetenschap
& Kunst)
Herestraat 53 • B-3000 Leuven
Tel. 016 23 39 67 • Fax 016 22 24 77
[email protected]
www.lemmens.wenk.be
ID Lemmensinstituut
• Founded in 1879
• Since 1995 department of the
“Hogeschool voor Wetenschap & Kunst”
• Developed into a complete Conservatory
which offers training in a wide range of
disciplines:
• Bachelor/Master in Music
• Composition
• Conducting
• Music Education
• Music Therapy
• Instrument/Singing
• Jazz
• Bachelor/Master in Dramatic Arts
• Declamation
• After obtaining the master’s degree, students can opt to specialise in a particular
discipline (ManaMa).
• Situated in a large park area overlooking the Gasthuisberg university hospital.
The institute’s facilities include concert
halls, theatres, ballet studios, multimedia rooms, a library and a number of
rehearsal studios. The institute holds
concerts, introductions to concerts, masterclasses, special projects which involve
the preparation and performance of musical master-pieces, specialised student
ensembles for ancient and contemporary
music, chamber orchestras and big band.
18
Academic & event calendar
10 - 14 September // Production-week 1
1 October // Start of classes in the first semester
29 October - 2 November: Autumn Holidays
26 - 30 November // Production-week 4
3 - 7 December // Production-week 5
24 Dec - 4 Jan // Christmas and New Year holiday
7 - 18 January // First semester exams
21 - 25 January // Start second semester
4 - 8 February: Production-week 6
11 - 12 February // Free days
13, 14, 15 February // Masterclasses (production-week 7)
11-15 March // Production-week 8
18-22 March // Production-week 9
1 - 12 April // Easter holidays: no classes
1 May // Open Doors
9 & 10 May // Ascension Day: holidays
17 May // End of classes in the second semester
19 & 20 May // Pentecost and Whit Monday, public holiday
21 May - 21 June // Second semester exams
28 June // Proclamation1 July // Entrance Examination
22 August 2013 // Entrance Examination 20
19
Upon arrival
3.1.Formalities
Institutions of Higher
Education
KU Leuven
Procedure for Exchange
(Erasmus) students from the
European Economic Area
(EEA: 27 countries of European Union plus
Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein)
As a EEA Exchange student you remain enrolled
at your home university during your study period abroad. However, you also need to enrol officially as an Exchange Student at the KU Leuven.
Therefore, it is absolutely essential that, after
your arrival in Leuven, you go to:
1. the KU Leuven Registrar’s Office (see below) in order to enrol and receive your
student card.
Please report to the Exchange Students Desk.
This student card is generally considered to be
the proof that you have been recognised by
the academic authorities as a KU Leuven student. You will need it to take exams, to use the
library and the university sports facilities or to
get reduced prices at the university restaurants
(Alma). Make sure that you always have it with
you.
In order to enrol as an EEA Exchange Student,
you must submit:
• your identity card or passport
• the official forms that prove you are affiliated
with a health insurance in your home country
and which is valid in Belgium (EHIC: European Health Insurance Card)
• proof that you are registered as a student at
your home university
• your “letter of admission”
After your visit to the Registrar’s Office you
need to go to:
2. City Office (Stadskantoor, address see below)
You are urgently requested to apply for a residence certificate at the City Office of Leuven
to obtain a residence card and to get exemption
of paying the city tax of Leuven which is € 650
(see also p. 35).
At the “Stadskantoor” you will be asked to submit a copy of your Certificate of Registration,
which you will receive upon enrolment at the
KU Leuven Registrar’s Office.
Information on www.kuleuven.be/admissions/
exchange/index.html.
Information about the city tax (changed tax
on second residences) can be found on
www.kuleuven.be/studentenvoorzieningen/
accommodation/private/supplexpenses.html.
Do not forget to deregister at the “Stadskantoor” (city hall) when you are finally leaving Leuven and go back home! See also chapter 5 in
this brochure.
20
Procedure for non-EEA Exchange
students and all other regular
students (Masters, predoctoral
and PhD students)
All new international students (undergraduate,
post-graduate, pre-doctoral, doctoral, international scholars, and students in specialised programmes), with the exception of EEA-Exchange
students, have to visit the following offices (in
this order):
1. International Admissions and Mobility Unit
2. Registrar’s Office
3. City Office
(addresses of the offices see below)
Step 1: KU Leuven International Admissions
and Mobility Unit
For non-EEA-Exchange students, staying longer
than 3 months, please bring your:
• your passport, with “Authorisation for provisional sojourn“ (student visa) if required for
those who do not require a student visa: a
proof of solvency or proof of scholarship
• proof that you are registered as a student at
your home university
• your “letter of admission”
For all other Regular Students, please bring your
• Admission Letter from the International Admissions and Mobility Unit and Scholarship
Attestation
• Original Degree(s)
• Valid passport or Identity card
• one photocopy of the identity page of your
passport and one copy of your Belgian student visa (if applicable).
Step 2: Afterwards you will be send to the
KU Leuven Registrar’s Office, in order to finalise your registration.
In addition to your student card, you will receive
a proof of enrolment which you will need for
your registration at the Foreigners’ Office (or
your city hall) (see below, p. 22 for more information) and the health insurance office, an invoice of your tuition fees (to be paid within two
weeks), a third party liability insurance policy, a
sports and culture card (on request, see p.90
and p. 93).
Students who arrive in Leuven during the period from 16 August to 10 October will receive
special instructions from their Case Administrator at the International Admissions and Mobility
Unit regarding their registration at KU Leuven
21
and at Leuven City Hall. A separate instruction
sheet will be provided by their Case Administrator during their first in-take meeting.
Step 3: City Office/Foreigners Office (Stadskantoor, see p. 25)
• Report to the City Office yourself if you come
before August 16 and after 10 October; for
the documents to submit, see p. 25
• If you are not registered at City Hall, you will
have to pay the extra city tax of € 650. (See
also p. 35).
All students
(EEA- and non-EEA-students)
Please read the information about insurances
and health care in this brochure (see chapter 3.3.).
Non-EEA (European Economic Area) students
will be given an invoice of € 13 for the mandatory third-party liability insurance policy.
Arrival at your faculty
The first person to see when you arrive at your
faculty is your contact person. Each faculty has
its own Exchange Programme Coordinator and
each Master Programme has a co-ordinator.
You can rely on him/her for information about
courses, timetables, student organisations,
etc. When necessary, he/she will refer you to
the appropriate office. You can find the name
of your exchange programme coordinator, his
or her telephonenumber and emailaddress on
your KU Leuven letter of admission.
22
Information about the 3 offices:
KU Leuven
Registrar’s Office
Studentenadministratie
University Hall
Tel. 016 32 40 40 • [email protected]
Open weekdays from 9:00 am
until 12:30 noon
During the enrolment period for the
new academic year: from 16 Aug.
until 30 Sep. open from 9:00 am
until 5:00 pm
See www.kuleuven.be/registration
KU Leuven
International Admissions and Mobility Unit
Atrechtcollege
Naamsestraat 63, box 5410
B-3000 Leuven
[email protected]
Open:
Weekdays from 9:00 am until 12:30 noon
(Mid-August – End September: also open in
the afternoon)
City Office/ Foreigners Office
Professor Van Overstraetenplein 1
B-3000 Leuven
Tel. 016 27 21 70 Fax 016 27 28 11
Open
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday
from 9:00 am until 4:30 pm
Thursday from 12:00 noon until 8:00 pm
Visiting Scholars/Fellows
(short-term)
Visiting Scholars are asked to present themselves at the International Admission and Mobility Unit (see p.21) as soon as possible after
their arrival. Take your KU Leuven invitation and
your valid identity card or passport with you. You
will receive a university guest card, which gives
you access to all university libraries, university
restaurants (Alma, see p. 77), etc.
Visiting Professors,
Researchers or Administrative/
Technical
As a Visiting Professor, Researcher or Administrative/Technical staff member, you will be
invited for a welcome meeting at the Human
Resources Department. During this meeting,
you will receive your agreement/proof of registration, your staff card and some additional
information on working/living at/in (KU)Leuven.
For identification purposes, you are asked to
bring your identity card or passport.
Human Resources Department
(Personeelsdienst)
Sint-Jan Berchmanscollege
Parijsstraat 72, box 5540
B-3000 Leuven
Tel. 016 32 83 05 • Fax 016 32 83 10
[email protected]
Open: weekdays from 8:00 am until 5:00 pm
KHLeuven
Exchange Students
In order to enroll as an Exchange Student, you
must go to www.leuvenuniversitycollege.be, fill
out the online application form, after having
been approved by your home institution, and
submit the required documents.
Although exchange students remain enrolled at
their home institution during their study period
abroad, they still need to enroll as an exchange
student at the host institution. This is why it is
essential that after your arrival in Leuven you are
enrolled and receive your student card. The student card is generally considered proof that you
have been recognised as a KHLeuven student.
You will need it when taking exams, or when
going to the library or to one of the university
restaurants and for free local bus transport. So
make sure that you always carry it with you.
Apart from your student card, you will be given
a certificate of enrollment at KHLeuven which
you will need when registering at city hall (see
below for more information).
We also expect you to have the necessary
health and travel insurance policies.
At the start of each Autumn and Spring semester KHLeuven organises a paid Introduction
Week during which we will provide temporary
accommodation at the Leuven Youth Hostel, assistance with finding a student room, student
card registration, and much more.
23
Arrival at your Department
After our Introduction Week, you will meet your
contact person at your respective department.
The first person to visit when arriving at your
department is, of course, your contact person
at your respective department.
Each department has its own exchange programme coordinator, i.e. a staff member who
coordinates all exchange activities within his/
her department. You can rely on him/her for information about courses, timetables, student
organisations, etc. When necessary, he/she
will refer you to the appropriate service for students.
GROUP T – International
University college Leuven
Campus Vesalius
GROUP T’s International Office is in charge of
the registration and reception of international
students. The International Office is also at the
disposal of international students who experience academic or problems.
Regular Students
You need to submit:
• an application form
• official diplomas obtained upon graduation in
your own country, together with a certified
translation in English
• passport
Regular EEA (other than Belgium) and nonEEA students need to apply by filling out and
submitting forms which can be downloaded
from our website, www.leuvenuniversitycollege.be/Admission/Apply
After registration you will receive a student
card, a proof of registration intended for city
hall, and a document intended for the health
insurance company (see p. 37 and following for
more information).
GROUP T
B-3000 Leuven
Tel. 016 30 11 23 • Fax 016 30 10 40
[email protected]
www.group-t.com
Language Requirements
In order to assess the extent to which nonnative
speakers are proficient in English, applicants for
GROUP T’s study programmes in English will
be asked to take the TOEIC (Test of English for
International Communication) as well as an oral
proficiency test upon arrival at GROUP T. The
maximum score depends on the programme
you apply for.
24
LEMMENSINSTITUUT (W&K)
In order to register you have to submit:
• identity card or passport,
• the certificate from Lemmensinstituut
proving you passed the admission test,
• authenticated copies of your diplomas
in the original language,
• outprint of your online pre-registration,
• notarised translations of your diplomas in
English, French, German or Dutch,
if one of these is not your native language,
• academic transcripts of your previous
studies (with details of content, study
credits and grades per academic year and
per course),
• a copy of your housing rental contract,
• a copy of your residence permit
For postgraduate studies your diploma must
be officially recognised as equivalent with the
Flemish Master diploma. Information about this
procedure is available at www.naric.be or at the
Student Administration (studentenadminisatrie
@lemmens.wenk.be)
Pre-registration must happen online at
www.voorinschrijven.be before attending the
school administration. You will be given a proof
of registration, a student card and a pass that
allows you to travel by bus in Leuven for free.
An intensive Dutch course for international students is available during the summer vacation
at KU Leuven (ILT, see p. 71) and continues
throughout the academic year. This course is
highly recommended, since it makes integration much easier. An elementary knowledge of
Dutch is a considerable advantage.
City of Leuven
Foreigners office
Dienst buitenlanders
B-3000 Leuven
Tel. 016 27 21 70 • Fax 016 27 28 11
Open
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and
Friday from 9:00 am until 4:30 pm
Students, Visiting Scholars, Researchers and
Visiting Professors are required to register at
the Foreigners’ Office (in Dutch: Dienst Buitenlanders) within three days after your arrival in
Belgium. Without registration, you’ll have to pay
the City tax (see p. 35)
Below, we list the documents you will have to
submit:
For Students
• valid passport or identity card (identity card
sufficient only for EEA nationals )
• the Authorisation for Provisional Sojourn
stamped in your passport before coming to
Belgium (for non-EEA nationals only)
• three recent passport size photographs
• certificate of enrolment at KU Leuven
• the official European Health Insurance Card
which proves your affiliation with a health
insurance company in your home country
(for EEA nationals only)
• a proof of solvency or scholarship attestation
(not for EEA students).
KU Leuven Students who arrive in Leuven
during the period from 16 August to 10 October will receive special instructions from their
Case Administrator at the International Admis-
25
sions and Mobility Unit regarding their registration at KU Leuven and at Leuven City Hall.
A separate instruction sheet will be provided
by their Case Administrator during their first
in-take meeting at the International Office.
EEA nationals:
• valid passport or identity card
After your registration at city hall, upon your
request, you will receive a document called
“bijlage 15” (= “annex 15”). (You will need three
additional photo’s if you require the annex 15)
For Visiting Professors,
Researchers and
Administrative/ Technical Staff
EEA nationals will be asked to sign a document
called “annex 19”.They will receive either a simple Declaration of Registration document or an
EU ID card equivalent to their local ID card or
identification document in their home country.
EEA citizens may choose between these two
documents but it is advisable that they obtain
the EU ID card.
After the visit of a police agent to confirm your
residence, you will be invited to return to city
hall to complete your registration (non-EEA students only).
For Visiting Scholars
Non-EEA nationals who do NOT need
a visa to enter Belgium for a period of
three months or less:
• valid passport, three recent photographs
(passport size)
• € 5.00 fee
Non-EEA nationals who do need a visa to
enter Belgium for a period of three months
or less:
• valid passport
• the Schengen visa stamped in your passport
before coming to Belgium
• three recent photographs (passport size)
• € 5.00 fee
26
You will receive a proof of arrival in Belgium for
the duration of your stay.
• valid passport or identity card (identity
card sufficient only for EEA nationals)
• annex 19bis for EEA nationals;
hosting agreement or work permit for nonEEA nationals
• the visa stamped in your passport before
coming to Belgium (for non-EEA nationals)
• your contract/grant allocation agreement or
letter of appointment
• rental contract
• three recent photographs (passport size) for
the annex 15 (issued upon your request)
After the visit of a police agent to confirm your
residence, you will be invited to return to the
city hall . You are kindly asked to provide the Human Resources Department with a copy of your
Belgian identity card/residence permit.
Belgian Identity Card/
Residence Permit
The card you receive after registering at city hall
is your official residence permit. It also functions as your identity card in Belgium. This is
an extremely important document and you are
required to carry it with you at all times. Make
sure you don’t lose it.
To extend the validity of your Identity Card/
Residence Permit, you should go in person to
the Foreigners’ Office of your city hall, prefer-
ably before the expiry date of your identity card.
Non- EEA students will have to present a new
proof of enrolment, a copy of their transcript
and a proof of solvency. Researchers and Visiting Professors, depending on their staff status,
will be asked to submit either a new hosting
agreement or a new work permit.
Leaving Belgium
Change of Address
Before leaving Belgium permanently, please
make sure that you visit the same office to turn
in your Belgian identity card/residence permit. If
you ever need to come back to Leuven, this will
save you and the city’s officials a great deal of
time and trouble. See also Chapter 5.
Every time you change your address, you must
report your new address within eight days to
the city hall of your place of residence.
If you are moving to another town or city in Belgium, you must report to the Foreigners’ Office
of the city hall of your new place of residence.
You are likewise required to inform the university, the health insurance company, and other
relevant offices of your change of address. At
the end of your stay in Belgium and before your
actual departure, you should give notice of your
departure to the Foreigners’ Office of city hall
and hand in your Belgian identity card/residence
permit.
Loss of your Identity Card/
Residence Permit
If you lose your identity card/residence permit,
you must report this in person at the local police
station and sign an official declaration of loss.
Bring along two passport photographs as well.
After an investigation by the police, you will be
given a duplicate of your identity card.
If you temporarily have to leave Belgium for
a period longer than three months, you must
contact the Foreigners’ Office of city hall to find
out what administrative procedures you must
follow.
Visit from the Police Officer
After you have registered at the Foreigners’ Office of your city hall, your neighbourhood police
officer will drop by your (Belgian) address to
verify that you actually live there. Notice that
a delay of several weeks is to be expected, that
you should not come to the police in person or
need to contact the police yourself. In very exceptional cases (= >10 weeks): get in touch via
[email protected] only, not by telephone.
If you are not at home at the time of the officer’s visit, you might receive a letter inviting you
to report to the police station in your district.
Make sure you do this as soon as possible in
order to avoid misunderstandings or future administrative problems.
Visiting professors and students living on the
Arenberg Campus are under the supervision of
the student police officer and should visit the
branch office at Celestijnenlaan 200P, B-3001
Heverlee (between 12:00 noon and 2:00 pm,
see p. 121).
27
3.2.
Accommodation
Leuven owes its lively atmosphere to
the large number of students (about
45,000). Student life is fully integrated
into the community since there are no
separate student campuses except for
the Science and Engineering campus
in Heverlee. Because the supply of
housing provided by the educational
institutions themselves is quite limited,
about 80% of students are accommodated in the private sector.
The private housing market offers a wide range
of rooms, studios and apartments, of diverse
quality, price level and location. Addresses of
vacant rooms can be consulted at the Housing
Service, but students need to view the properties, negotiate with landlords and sign the
rental contract personally. This means that for
international students it is almost impossible
to arrange permanent accommodation in advance from outside Belgium. All students are
therefore strongly advised to come to Leuven
approximately one week before the start of the
courses and move into temporary housing for
the first few days. Room hunting will then take
a few days of running around, but with some
help from the housing officers, all international students should be able to find their new
‘home’ in Leuven within about a week.
28
3.2.1. Housing Service
Regular students, exchange
students, visiting scholars and
researchers
The Housing Service assists international students, both from KU Leuven and from the other
Leuven institutions, in finding suitable housing.
Students who have just arrived should go to this
office immediately.
The office can provide information about the
various types of permanent housing in the private sector and in university residence halls.
They will also answer specific questions about
rent-related issues such as contracts, legal
regulations, fire insurance, security, rental surcharges, etc. Should you have any complaints
about your accommodation or a dispute with
the landlord, they can also provide assistance
and mediation.
Van Dalecollege
Tel. 016 32 44 00 • Fax 016 32 88 20
[email protected]
www.kuleuven.be/accommodation
Open
Weekdays from 2:00 until 5:00 pm
From 1 June until 30 September:
and from 2:00 pm until 5:00 pm
Visiting professors and fellows
Visiting professors, senior fellows and visiting
scholars can look for suitable accommodation
in the residential area of the University Centre
‘Groot Begijnhof’. If this residential area is fully
booked, these guests will be referred to the private sector.
Groot Begijnhof University Centre
Groot Begijnhof 94 • B-3000 Leuven
Tel. 016 32 99 11 • 016 32 94 29
[email protected]
www.kuleuven.be/accommodation/student/
guest.htm
www.kuleuven.be/grootbegijnhof/welcome
Regular students, researchers
and visiting scholars
Temporary housing
(guesthousing)
It is not obvious to arrange accommodation
from abroad. Because of the wide variety in
prices, comfort, surface area etc., it’s very
risky to make a choice without having viewed
at least a few rental units personally. To avoid
disappointments, it is recommended to visit
Leuven beforehand to find accommodation. In
the beginning of the rental season (during the
month of June and the beginning of July) the
offer will be the biggest. Since the supply of
housing tends to shorten from mid August onwards, it is advisable to visit Leuven some time
in advance.
The price of a guestroom can vary from a low
budget room with basic comfort in the youth
hostel or in a university guesthouse, to a more
expensive room in a hotel or B&B. International
students should make a reservation in advance
themselves!
Information about guest housing can be found
on www.kuleuven.be/studentenvoorzieningen/
accommodation/guesthousing
Private Accommodation
www.kotwijs.be
International students can look for housing using Kotwijs, the online address database from
the Housing Service, in which they will find a
detailed survey of private rental accommodation for a full academic year and for a shorter period. Also rooms subletted by Belgian students
can be consulted in this database.
Addresses vacant for the new academic year
are advertised from 1st of June. Throughout
the summer period, the programme can be
consulted from home or locally in the computer
room of the Housing Service for those students
that don’t have access to internet. You can enter
your requirements regarding type of accommodation, facilities, maximum rent, etc., and
the system will show a selection of suitable
addresses, together with the landlord’s details.
The database is updated constantly: rented
rooms are removed and new ones are added.
After performing a search via the address database, it is recommended that you view the
rooms as quickly as possible.
Students who did not arrange permanent housing before travelling to Leuven must arrange
guest housing for a few nights well in advance.
29
Student rooms
Apartments
Students generally rent a single room (or “kot”
in Dutch) in a student house shared with between 5 and 15 fellow students. Rooms are
mostly for 1 person and furnished. The average
size of a room is 12 m². Bed linen and kitchen utensils are not provided. Each room has a
private sink, but showers, toilets and kitchen
are shared. Access to the internet (see Kotnet
p. 67) is widely available in private student accommodation. Rooms are rented per academic
year (10, 11 or 12 months), or for a shorter period. The average rent is approximately € 320 per
month, including expenses for heating, electricity and water (utilities). The price depends on
the rental term, size and the private comfort of
the room. Landlords who rent for shorter periods usually ask a higher rent than the average.
Apartments are suitable for couples and families. In addition to a kitchen and bathroom,
they have a living/dining room and at least one
separate bedroom. Furniture is not always provided. The rental period for an apartment is at
least one year. The rental term of apartments
provided on the commercial sites is at least 3
years. The rental price of a one bedroom apartment is generally € 600 to € 800; a two or three
bedroom apartment can cost € 800 or more
per month. The cost for heating, electricity and
water (utilities) is usually not included. In most
cases the tenant needs to conclude a contract
with the energy and water company.
Studios
“Studio” is the word commonly used in Leuven
to refer to a one-room flat, with a private bathroom and kitchenette. Studios usually come
furnished and have an average size of 18 m².
According to government regulations the size
of a studio for 2 persons needs to be minimum
27m². The size of the bathroom is not included.
A studio for 2 persons is not always suitable
for 2 friends because it is often equipped for a
couple (e.g. it has a double bed). The common
rental period for a studio is 12 months but some
studios can be rented for a shorter period. The
average rent is approx. € 460 per month for a
studio for 1 person and € 600 for a studio for
2 persons. The cost for heating, electricity and
water (utilities) is usually not included. Landlords who rent for shorter periods usually ask a
higher rent than the average.
30
International students who wish to bring their
family to Leuven should take into account that
the surface area of an apartment for 2 persons
must be at least 27 m² and for 3 persons at least
40 m². The surface area of the bathroom is not
included. As this type of accommodation is not
typical student housing, the supply is limited.
University Residence Halls
KU Leuven reserves a small number of housing
units (i.e. rooms for single students, flats and
apartments for families) in subsidized university
residence halls. Only students from a developing country who hold a modest Belgian scholarship are eligible for these accommodations.
Allocation always takes place after the student’s
arrival in Leuven through the Housing Service.
In case no subsidized rooms are available at the
moment of arrival, students are referred to the
private housing market. For subsidized studios
and apartments there is always a waiting list.
Married students who arrive in Leuven together
with their families will not be given priority on
the waiting list, but will be referred to the private housing market.
The KU Leuven also reserves about 260 of
its 1300 non-subsidized university residence
rooms to house foreign students.
For more information about accommodation for
international students in non-subsidized university residence rooms visit the following website: admin.kuleuven.be/residences
Married students
While single students have the possibility to
stay in a guestroom upon arrival, guestroom
facilities for families are very limited. For this
reason, married students should always plan
to arrive in Leuven alone at first and bring their
families to Belgium later, only after suitable permanent accommodation has been found.
Students arriving together with their family cannot be given priority on the waiting list for subsidized university apartments, but
they will be referred to the private sector.
Visiting professors and fellows
Visiting professors and fellows can contact
Ms. Leen Bogaert ([email protected])
for suitable accommodation in the residential
area of the University Centre ‘Groot Begijnhof’. These rental units are fully furnished and
adapted to the needs of international visitors
whose stay in Leuven does not exceed a period
of one year. However, the number of available
units in Groot Begijnhof is limited. Since the
demand often outstrips the supply, accommodation must be requested in writing, if possible at least three months in advance. Priority is
given to international visitors who are appointed
as visiting professors by the GEBU (Executive
Board), to visitors who have been granted a
senior fellowship by the Research Fund, and to
visiting fellows under the auspices of a bilateral
agreement. Allocation of the available housing
units is always based on family size and the
specific needs of the applicant. As mentioned
above, not all demands can be met. Visitors
whose application has been turned down will
be referred to the Housing Service for help in
finding suitable housing in the private sector.
Like regular students, they are strongly advised
against signing a rental contract without having
inspected the property personally.
International project houses
Enrich your stay in Leuven and live with a mixture of cultures. This is possible in the following
student houses:
• Loyola International Nachbahr House
www.kuleuven.be/loyola
• J.L. Vives International Residence
Damiaanplein 9
contact www.kuleuven.be/vives
• University Parish Community House Sint-Jan
www.kuleuven.be/up/international/houses.
html
• Dondeynehuis and Residence Lerkeveld:
both houses give students the opportunity
to integrate their studies in a broader
socio-cultural context. Therefore they offer
a ‘House Program’ built on three pillars:
a social, a cultural and a religious pillar.
Within those three pillars we organise
seminars, modules and activities.
International students are most welcome.
www.dondeynehuis.be and www.kuleuven.
be/huisvesting/residenties/lerkeveld/en/index
31
KHLeuven
Temporary Housing
Upon arrival in Belgium, international exchange
students can stay at the Leuven Youth Hostel
(arranged by KHLeuven as part of the introduction week fee or by making individual arrangements).
Regular Students
International students who stay at KHLeuven
for an entire academic year will be referred to
the KU Leuven Housing Service. The procedure
to find permanent housing is the same as for
KU Leuven students (see p.28 and following).
They can search the Kotwijs online database of
private rental student accommodation. KHLeuven students cannot apply for housing in other
KU Leuven subsidized residence halls.
Exchange Students
Once settled in at their temporary residence,
KHLeuven exchange students will be accompanied to the housing office for assistance in
finding permanent accommodation.
Those staying for the entire academic year may
consult the online address database of private
student rooms and apartments.
Those staying for one semester will preferably
be housed in rooms to be sublet by Belgian students who have gone to study abroad for one
semester.
32
Regular Students
GROUP T provides only a limited number of
rooms for foreign students. However, students
can turn to the KU Leuven Housing Service for
information about available rooms, studios and
apartments in the private sector (see p. 28).
Since it’s difficult to find permanent housing
in advance, it’s advisable to arrive some time
before the beginning of the courses and contact GROUP T’s International Office for help in
arranging temporary accommodation.
Visiting Scholars and Professors
The International Office of GROUP T provides
visiting scholars and professors with information about the various types of accommodation.
LEMMENSINSTITUUT
& Kunst)
The KU Leuven Housing Service (see p. 28)
can assist you in finding a student room in
Leuven. You can search the Kotwijs online database of private rental student accommodation.
Lemmens-students cannot apply for housing
in other KU Leuven subsidized residence halls.
A list of available student rooms in the neighbourhood of Lemmensinstituut can also be obtained at the reception desk of the school. Since
it is not so easy to find permanent housing, it is
advisable to arrive some time before the beginning of the courses and contact international@
lemmens.wenk.be (Hilde De Dobbeleer) for
help in arranging temporary accommodation.
Music practice rooms are available each day
from 7:30 am till 10:00 pm (Friday till 5:30 pm).
33
3.2.2. Practical Information on
Renting Student Accommodation
The Rental Contract
Legally, every rental agreement has to be written. In practice, anything that has been agreed
upon orally will be difficult to prove. It is advisable to use the standard KU Leuven rental contract, which is recognisable by the logo of KU
Leuven. Standard contracts are freely available
at the Housing Service. Alterations are possible but are seldom to your advantage and both
parties must always sign them. Every rental
contract will be valid if both tenant and landlord
sign it. If the landlord insists on his own type
of contract, please drop by the Housing Service
before you sign it. The housing officers will read
it through, translate parts of the contract and
let you know if it is reliable or not. The rental
term will generally be concluded for 10, 11 or
12 months. There is a limited offer of accommodation for a shorter period. Rooms, studios
and apartments that become available during
the academic year will be rented out for the
remainder of the initial rental term. According
to Belgian law a contract once signed, can not
be terminated before it expires, unless stated
otherwise in the contract.
The deposit
When you conclude a contract, the payment of
a deposit is required. For rooms, a deposit of
one or two months rent is usual. For studios and
apartments, deposits generally amount to two
months rent. This sum can never be considered
as rent and can only be used to compensate
for damage to the rented property caused by
the tenant or by third parties to whom the tenant has granted access. The deposit or its balance will be reimbursed within one month after
34
the end of the agreement, taking into account
that the landlord should have the opportunity to
draw up the final bill for heating, electricity, etc.
before he can return the balance of the deposit.
The landlord can charge an extra cost if the keys
are not returned in time and/or the room has not
been cleaned thoroughly.
Supplementary expenses
If the cost of heating, electricity, water, etc. is
not included in the rent, the contract should
clearly state how these costs will be calculated.
Many contracts state that the tenants have to
pay a monthly advance for the costs, over and
above the cost of the rent. At the end of the
agreement, a settlement of the total costs is
made, taking into account the advance payments.
The calculation of these costs should be submitted to the tenant in a separate, detailed bill.
The landlord provides this calculation at the latest within one quarter after the end of the rental
period. If each housing unit is equipped with an
individual electricity and gas meter, the tenant
and the landlord should make a note of the meter reading at the beginning and at the end of
the rental term. When the final bill is submitted,
tenants are entitled to see the individual invoices for the various costs. Some contracts state
that the tenants have to pay a fixed amount
for the supplementary expenses. In this case
no calculation will be made at the end of the
contract. Tenants of apartments and houses
normally have an individual contract with the
gas, electricity and water companies. In this
case they will receive the invoices directly from
the company.
City tax
On June 27, 2011 the city council of Leuven
has voted a new local tax on the rental of
second residences, which replaces the previous regulation on city tax or municipal tax.
The tax is levied on the owner of every housing unit in Leuven used as second residence
and where the tenant is not registered in the
municipal register of Leuven. The tax amounts
to € 650 per second residence per year. Most
landlords stipulate in their contracts that
they will recover this sum from the tenant.
If municipal tax is due and if the student can
submit proof of enrolment at an educational institution offering full-time day courses, the tax
will be reduced from € 650 to € 75 in accordance with municipal regulations.
This is particularly the case for international
students residing in Leuven for more than
90 days. Students who are in this situation but
did not register in the municipal register of Leuven, will be charged € 650 unless they submit
proof of enrolment at an educational institution. In that case the tax will be € 75. ‘Annex
33 - Verblijfsdocument’ does not prove your
registration in the municipal register. ‘Annex 8
or 15 - Verklaring van inschrijving’ does. Although students with the nationality from countries that border on Belgium (the Netherlands,
Germany, Luxemburg, France) are not obliged
to, they can register in the municipal register to
avoid paying the tax. Do not forget to deregister when you are leaving Leuven.
No second-residence tax is due on accommodations rented by students registered (or awaiting registration) at this address in the municipal
register of Leuven on 1 January of the tax year.
35
Fire insurance
What to do in case of problems?
When you rent a property, you are responsible
for damage caused by fire, water, or explosion,
except in circumstances beyond one’s control
(i.e. “force majeure”). You should subscribe to
an insurance policy to cover these risks. Whether tenants should take out an individual insurance policy or if they are insured by the policy of
the landlord depends on what has been agreed
upon in the rental agreement. Since landlords
have insured their building for fire and related
risks, electrical and water damage, they usually
include an insurance on behalf of the tenant in
this policy, which covers the tenant’s liability
towards the landlord and towards third parties.
In the contract the landlord can stipulate that
the tenant must pay his/her share in the fire
insurance premium. The tenant’s personal belongings, however, will never be covered by the
landlord’s insurance policy. To insure damage to
his/her own property, the tenant needs to subscribe to a separate insurance policy. If the contract does not stipulate that the tenant’s liability
is insured through the landlord’s policy, which is
usually the case for tenants of apartments and
houses, the tenants need to take out individual
insurance to cover the risks of damage both to
the landlord’s property and to their personal belongings. An individual policy is obviously more
expensive, depending on the coverage and the
value of the property and furniture insured.
When you rent a room from another student
(subletting) you can sign in on a fire insurance
policy offered by the KU Leuven that covers
your liability towards the landlord and third parties, as well as your personal belongings. This
fire insurance policy costs € 25 per year.
Whenever you have difficulties in understanding your contract or any other document related
to your rental accommodation, you can seek
the advice of the Housing Service for translation
and interpretation of the contents. Contacts will
not be translated by mail but in person or by
telephone. In case of a conflict with the landlord, the Housing Service can help to solve the
problem or mediate between the tenant and
the landlord.
36
Complaints about the conditions of the property
should be reported to the landlord first, so he
can undertake action. If the landlord does not
respond or reacts insufficiently, students can
turn to the Housing Service. If necessary, a
housing officer will visit the accommodation to
assess the housing situation on site and advise
the tenant of what procedure should be followed.
3.2.3. City of Leuven
Housing Office
This office supervises the quality of rented
properties in Leuven, in close co-operation with
the local fire department and the Flemish regional authorities.
Dienst Wonen
B-3000 Leuven
Tel. 016 27 26 50 • Fax 016 27 28 18
[email protected]
www.leuven.be/leven/wonen
The municipal housing office draws up an inventory of unoccupied and dilapidated dwellings and investigates problems with quality and
safety in houses and student rooms. The office
can summon the fire brigade to check on the
fire safety of the student rooms. Landlords can
apply to this department to obtain a certificate
of conformity (“conformiteitsattest”). This is an
official confirmation that their property complies with the legal regulations.
Students can turn to this office for information
about the legal quality standards imposed by
the regional and local authorities. Shortcomings
in student houses, however, should be reported
to the KU Leuven Housing Service in the first
instance. Only in cases of serious quality problems, for which the mediation of the Housing
Service has proved unsuccessful, an official
complaint to the municipal housing office can
be considered. In the event of serious shortcomings, the local council can decide to close
down the premises and impose a penalty on
the landlord.
3.3.Insurances
3.3.1. Health Insurance
All residents of Belgium, Belgian nationals or
otherwise, are required by law to be covered by
a health insurance policy. It is also in your own
interest. Without insurance coverage, the cost
of medical care can quickly spiral out of control.
For instance, a single night’s stay in the hospital
can cost up to € 400 not including treatment or
medicine.
A standard health insurance policy will reimburse about 75% of the cost of a doctor’s visit,
medicine and hospitalisation. The information
below is grouped according to the following
categories: self-supporting students, students
with a scholarship, researchers, administrative/
technical staff members, visiting professors and
visiting scholars. Please turn to the section that
applies to your particular situation.
Self-supporting Students
EEA Students and EEA Exchange Students
in the LLP/Erasmus programme
Students who are EEA nationals should obtain
a so-called European Health Insurance Card
(EHIC) proving they already have insurance coverage in their home country. Nationals from Algeria, Australia, Tunisia, Turkey, former Yugoslavia can also obtain documents under the terms
of the agreement between Belgium and their
country. Any medical costs they may incur will
be reimbursed by a Belgian health insurance
company if they show them the EHIC. This also
applies to the cost of drugs and medication: ask
for a 704N form at the pharmacy. If they don’t
have a EHIC, they are required to follow the
same procedure as non-EEA students and take
out health insurance coverage in Belgium.
37
Non-EEA nationals who are selfsupporting
students or whose scholarship does not include health insurance
Self-supporting students, or those with a scholarship that does not include health insurance,
should take out a health insurance policy. If you
arrive before 1 July, you will have to obtain temporary private health insurance (see below). The
cost of private insurance is € 41.15 per month
for men and up to € 60.49 per month for women and children. If you arrive after 1 July, you can
wait until the start of the university’s enrolment
period.
With your proof of enrolment, you can subscribe to a health insurance policy at the insurance company of your choice. However, it may
be useful to know that KU Leuven has excellent relations with ‘CM - Leuven’ (Christelijke
Mutualiteit, a major health insurance company).
CM organises information and sign-up sessions
about the affiliation with the Health Insurance
Company. See website: www.cmleuven.be/
students.
The documents you must submit
• passport
• Belgian identity card/residence permit
(if you have it already) or annex 15
• the certificate of “family composition”
(which you can obtain at the City Office,
see p. 25) if you have family members to
be insured
• bank account number
• the certificate of enrolment which you will
obtain automatically upon enrolment at the
KU Leuven Registrar’s Office (this is not the
same as your student card)
38
The fee consists of a quarterly payment, which
entitles you to all benefits from the first day of
that quarter. There are four payment periods:
from the beginning of October to the end of December, from January to March, from April to
June and from July to September.
During the first quarter of your stay as a student in Belgium, you will be eligible for health
insurance as a ‘student’. This costs around
€ 70. Once you have received your identity card
at the City Office, you will be eligible for health
insurance as a ‘resident’. This means a cost of
€ 14.85 per quarter.
If your family needs to be insured as well, your
partner has to report to the health insurance
company in person because she/ he must sign
the insurance documents personally. She/he
can be covered from the moment she/he has
a Belgian identity card/residence permit (white
card). If a child is born during your stay in Belgium, you must report to the health insurance
company and submit the birth certificate, which
you can obtain at the City Office.
Students with a KU Leuven scholarship or
grant not subject to social security If you hold a
KU Leuven scholarship or grant as a pre-doctoral
student, master student, international scholar
or specialisation student, it is not subject to
Belgian social security contributions.
You will be provided with health insurance, usually via the ‘CM – Leuven’ (a major health insurance company). Your case administrator at the
KU Leuven International Admissions and Mobility Unit will take care of all the formalities related to the subscription and the reimbursement
procedures. In general, the costs are included
in the scholarship and will be paid directly to the
health insurance company by the International
Admissions and Mobility Unit.
Doctoral students who hold a
KU Leuven doctoral scholarship
subject to social security
Doctoral scholarships are subject to partial or
full social security, in compliance with Belgian
law. EEA nationals and non-EEA nationals from
countries with which Belgium concluded a bilateral social security agreement are entitled to full
social security coverage.
Belgium has concluded a bilateral social security
agreement with: Algeria, Australia, Brazil (to be
confirmed), Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada,
Chile, Croatia, Israel, Japan, Macedonia, Montenegro, Morocco, the Philippines, San Marino,
Serbia, Tunisia, Turkey, the United States, India,
South-Korea and Uruguay.
In case of partial social security coverage, you
are covered for health insurance, job-related
accident and illness and you are also entitled
to receive child allowance. In case of full social
security coverage, you will also build up retirement and unemployment rights.
You are required to affiliate with a Belgian
health insurance fund, but the choice of insurance company is up to you. The cost amounts
to approximately € 14.85 per quarter. If you are
a non-EEA national, the International Admissions and Mobility Unit of International Office
will affiliate your with a Belgian health insurance
company.
If you receive the highest possible amount for a
doctoral scholarship (100% of the net salary of
an assistant), the cost for the Health Insurance
is no longer included in the scholarship.
partner has to visit the health insurance company in person because he/she must sign the
relevant documents personally. Partners of nonEEA nationals can be covered from the moment
they have a Belgian identity card/residence permit (white card). Partners of EEA nationals can
obtain coverage immediately.
Visiting Scholars/Fellows
KU Leuven provides an insurance package
designed especially for visiting scholars who
come to Belgium for a period of three months
at most (EEA nationals may come for a maximum of six months). The cost of this package is
approximately € 75.00 for three months.
Upon enrolment at the International Admissions
and Mobility Unit of International Office, visiting
scholars receive this policy.
It covers accident and medical costs. It does
not cover third party liability or the following
sports: skiing, mountain climbing, scuba diving, delta gliding, parachuting and hang-gliding.
Your family cannot be insured by this policy and
will have to obtain private insurance in their
home country or in Belgium.
For non-EEA scholarship holders, the majority
of the costs are included in the scholarship and
will be paid by the International Admissions and
Mobility Unit.
39
Researchers
Postdoctoral Fellows
Postdoctoral grants are subject to partial or full
social security contributions, in compliance with
Belgian law. EEA nationals and non-EEA nationals from countries with which Belgium concluded a bilateral social security agreement are entitled to full coverage. Belgium has concluded a
bilateral social security agreement with the following countries: Algeria, Australia, Brazil (to be
confirmed), Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada,
Chile, Croatia, Israel, Japan, Macedonia, Montenegro, Morocco, the Philippines, San Marino,
Serbia, Tunisia, Turkey, the United States, India,
South- Korea and Uruguay.
In case of partial social security coverage, you
are covered for health insurance, job-related accident and illness and you are entitled to receive
child allowance.
In case of full social security coverage, you will
also build up retirement and unemployment
rights.
You are required to affiliate with a Belgian health
insurance fund, but the choice of the insurance
company is up to you. The cost amounts to approximately € 14.85 per quarter.
they have an Attestation of Immatriculation (orange card). Partners of EEA nationals can obtain
coverage immediately.
40
Salaried Researchers and Administrative/
Technical Staff Members
Salaried staff members are subject to full social
security contributions. This means they are covered for health insurance, job-related accident
and illness, are entitled to receive child allowance and build up retirement and unemployment rights.
insurance fund, but the choice of the company
is up to you. The cost amounts to approximately
€ 14.85 per quarter. Per calendar year, a supplementary fee of € 25 per adult must be paid
for care insurance (‘zorgverzekering’, a collective insurance to provide financial assistance to
seriously ill
patients).
partner has to visit the health insurance com-
pany in person because he/she must sign the
they have an Attestation of Immatriculation (orange card). Partners of EEA nationals can obtain
coverage immediately.
Self-supporting Researchers
EEA nationals need to obtain a European Health
Insurance Card (EHIC) proving coverage in their
home country and enabling them to receive reimbursement for medical treatment in Belgium.
Non-EEA nationals are advised to take a personal insurance that covers them for medical
care during their stay in Belgium. Belgian health
insurance coverage is possible, but the cost is
proportional to their taxable income (income
earned anywhere).
Visiting Professors
Visiting professors with a salary Salaried visiting professors are subject to full social security
contributions. This means they are covered for
health insurance, job-related accident and illness, are entitled to receive child allowance and
build up retirement and unemployment rights.
insurance fund, but the choice of the company
is up to you. The cost amounts to approximately
€ 14.85 per quarter.
relevant documents personally.
Partners of non-EEA nationals can be covered
from the moment they have an Attestation of
Immatriculation (orange card). Partners of EEA
nationals can obtain coverage immediately.
Selfsupporting Visiting Professors
EEA nationals need to obtain a European Health
Insurance Card (EHIC) proving coverage in their
home country and enabling them to receive reimbursement for medical treatment in Belgium.
Non-EEA nationals are advised to take a personal insurance that covers them for medical
care during their stay in Belgium. Belgian health
insurance coverage is possible but the cost is
proportional to their taxable income (income
earned anywhere).
41
SIS Card
When you subscribe to a health insurance, you
will receive a membership card (known as a SIS
card), an information booklet and a number of
yellow stickers.
Please take your SIS card and stickers every
time you go to the pharmacy, visit a doctor, go
to a hospital or to the health insurance office.
You may be asked to show your SIS card or use
one of the yellow stickers. As long as you don’t
have your SIS card, you will have to pay the full
amount at the pharmacy unless you have received a form which can be used instead of the
SIS card. If this is the case, ask for the N704
form for reimbursement at the pharmacy, so
that you can be reimbursed by the health insurance company.
If you have to go to hospital and you don’t have
your SIS card, you will get an invoice for the total cost. Don’t pay it and take it to the health insurance company. They will provide a corrected
invoice.
Coverage outside Belgium
Whether or not you have coverage abroad (i.e.
outside Belgium) depends on a number of criteria. Just to be sure, you should contact your
own health insurance company or – for students: - get advice from the Social Service for
International Students.
Coverage for parents,
siblings and friends
When coming to Leuven for a visit, your parents, siblings or friends are not covered by
your health insurance policy (whether you are
a student or KU Leuven staff). We would advise
your guests to take out a temporary private insurance policy to cover their period of stay in
Belgium. The private insurance company, ‘Filip
Vandeven nv’, at Tessenstraat 3, B-3000 Leuven, tel. 016 31 09 70, is a recommended option in this case.
Addresses for Health Insurance
• Christelijke Mutualiteit Leuven (CM)
Leopold-I-straat 34 • B-3000 Leuven
Tel. 016 31 49 10
• Neutraal Ziekenfonds
Brabant and Limburg
Vaartstraat 56 (bus 1, 2 & 3) • B-3000
Leuven • Tel. 016 22 35 53
• Socialistische Mutualiteit
Mechelsestraat 70 • B-3000 Leuven
Tel. 016 22 57 04
• Liberale Mutualiteit van Brabant
Vital Decosterstraat 84 • B-3000 Leuven
Tel. 016 20 61 12
• Euromut Onafhankelijk Ziekenfonds
Mercatorpad 9 • B-3000 Leuven
Tel. 016 22 34 94
• Securex
Vaartkom 38 bus2A • B-3000 Leuven
Tel. 016 38 86 11
• Partena Onafhankelijk Ziekenfonds
Tel. 016 22 78 60
42
General Information about Health Insurance
• For all students
KU Leuven – Social Service
International Students
Tel. 016 32 44 36
• For students with a KU Leuven
scholarship
KU Leuven
International Admissions and Mobility Unit
[email protected];
Tel. 016 32 40 04
• For Postdoctoral Fellows,
Research Associates, Selfsupporting
Researchers and Visiting Professors
KU Leuven – HR Department
Mrs. Annemie Dumoulin
Parijsstraat 72b • B-3000 Leuven
[email protected]
Tel. 016 32 83 05
• Private Insurance
Filip Vandeven nv
Tessenstraat 3 • B-3000 Leuven
Tel. 016 31 09 70
3.3.2. Other Types of Insurance
Third Party Liability Insurance
Subscription to the university policy is only possible for students: KU Leuven requires all nonEEA students to subscribe to the third party liability insurance coverage. This policy covers any
damages to third parties caused by the student
or one of the student’s family members, while
not on university property.
Your own personal injuries are not covered by
this policy, only damage caused to third parties. For example, if you accidentally scratch a
parked car while riding your bicycle, and you are
held responsible for the damage, the insurance
company will cover the cost of the damage to
the car, but not the costs of any damage to your
bike, or personal injury you might suffer. The
policy also covers the costs of legal assistance
in case of disagreement between both parties.
Non-EEA students pay € 13 per academic year
for this insurance. The only students exempt
from this requirement are those who can prove
they already have private third party liability coverage.
Under European legislation, EEA students are
not required to have this insurance coverage,
but we strongly recommend that you get it nevertheless. Past experience has shown that the
costs associated with damage caused, even
in a minor accident, can turn out to be much
higher than most students are able to pay. A
student can subscribe to the policy by paying
the supplementary amount of € 13 upon enrolment. The insured party who has his/her normal
residence in Belgium will be covered throughout the world.
43
Excluded are:
• Damage caused by fire and the like
originating from a building of which the
insured party is at least partly owner, renter
or user. This damage is normally covered by
a fire insurance policy. The exception only
applies to material damage,
• Damage caused to borrowed goods or to
goods of which the insured party is the
owner, for example: the insured party
damages the sanitary fittings of the building
he/she is renting,
• Damage caused by a motor vehicle. This
damage is insured by the legal insurance
“Burgerlijke Aansprakelijkheid Auto” (Civil
Liability Car),
• Damage caused while under the influence of
alcohol or drugs,
• Damage caused while carrying out
professional activities. This damage is
insured by the employer.
For students: in case of an accident, please
report it to the Social Service as soon as possible (see p. 52). This office will file the claim
with the relevant insurance company on your
behalf and help you in following up your claim.
Visiting professors, researchers and administrative/technical staff members cannot subscribe
to the above mentioned university policy. However we strongly advise that they subscribe to
a private third party liability insurance (for the
address, see p. 43).
44
Job-Related Accident
Insurance
This group insurance policy covers the entire
university community for study-related and jobrelated accidents and illness. This policy also
covers you when you are abroad on professional business.
Every accident covered by this policy, including accidents abroad, must be reported to the
Insurance Office within 48 hours. They will provide you with the insurance claim forms and will
take care of the claim’s settlement.
Insurance Office KU Leuven –
Verzekeringsdienst
Krakenstraat 3 • B-3000 Leuven
Tel. 016 32 40 96 • Fax 016 32 40 93
Mr Marc Born
3.4.Money Matters
Branches of the principal Belgian and international banks can be found in all larger Belgian
cities. Among the best known Belgian banks
are the following: ING, KBC, Belfius, PNB Paribas Fortis, Argenta and Citibank. The university
does business mainly with PNB Paribas Fortis
and KBC. Students are encouraged, however,
to choose the bank that best suits their needs.
Belgian bank accounts can be “current accounts”, “saving accounts” or “term accounts”.
The first are customarily used for current transactions, payments or transfers; the second are
selfexplanatory; and the third are interest-bearing accounts fixed for a given period of time,
and for which the rate of interest varies according to the ups and downs of the investments of
the bank. Several banks also offer the possibility
of opening saving accounts in US dollars.
Deposits and withdrawals can be made in US
dollar banknotes or checks. Withdrawals in dollars can be made any time. However, customers must notify the bank in advance and order
the amount of dollars that they want to withdraw. Traveller’s checks are sold at all banks but
also need to be ordered some days in advance.
At the end of the calendar year, customers are
generally billed for all the services that they
have used during the year.
After opening a bank account, customers receive a debit card, which needs to be signed
and activated by choosing and confirming a personal “PIN code”. The bank personnel will assist
customers in this. Holders of a scholarship or
grant will most likely have their grants deposited directly into their accounts.
The following services are attached to your
bank account:
• cash withdrawals, either at one of the
branches of the bank or at any ATM
machines.
• debit card payments for items purchased
in shops or commercial centres.
• forms to transfer money directly from the
bank account to somebody else’s bank
account. This is very useful for paying rent
and utility bills such as water, electricity,
internet and telephone. To be able to make
use of this service customers need to go
to a branch of their bank in person.
• transfers from any “self-banking” machine
of any branch of the bank.
• standing orders with the bank for making
regularly recurring payments such as rent,
gas, electricity, water or telephone.
This is highly recommended since the
payments are made even if customers
forget or are away for a period of time.
• most banks provide Home-Banking possibilities (via internet).
45
Payments and account
statements
Payment by bank transfer is a very common
method of paying bills in Belgium. The companies will normally indicate on their bills how
they prefer to be paid. Payments by credit card
such as Visa, Mastercard/ Eurocard, American
Express, etc. are also common practice. For a
small fee to cover postage, Belgian banks will
mail daily, weekly or monthly transaction statements for a current account. It is a good idea
to make use of this service. An alternative to
the daily posting service is the “poste restante”,
whereby transaction statements are kept at the
bank for the customer to pick up. The easiest
way of obtaining account statements is to print
them out at a “self-banking” terminal.
Proton: electronic payments for small amounts
Most Belgian banks in Leuven include a special facility on their debit cards, which is called
‘Proton’. Think of ‘Proton’ as a 21st century elec-
46
tronic coin purse. As the holder of a current account, you will be able to ‘load’ the ‘Proton’ chip
on your debit card up to a maximum amount
of € 125 only and the ‘loading’ is done in your
bank’s self-service ATM machine. You can use
your debit card’s ‘Proton’ facility to pay (small
amounts) in many stores and shops in Leuven
that avail of a ‘Proton machine’. There are no PIN
codes to remember; all you have to do is press
the ‘OK’ button on the shop’s ‘Proton machine’
and your payment is done. Your bank will surely
be able to provide you with more information
about ‘Proton’.
3.5.Living Cost
The estimates below provide a rough average
of what a monthly/yearly budget in Leuven can
amount to, apart from the tuition fee. Basically,
these figures reflect a budget that is realistic
and sufficient to live simply and decently.
Preparation and departure for Leuven
depending on country
Before travelling to Leuven, a budget must be foreseen for the following possible costs while
still in your home country: visa/ passport application fees, transportation costs, ticket reservation
costs, accommodations, costs for ticket(s), shipping costs for extra baggage and medical costs. If
the partner or the family will come along to Leuven, the extra costs need to be calculated as well.
Arrival Single € 150
With partner
€ 300
This amount includes transportation costs to Leuven within Belgium, temporary accommodation
(€ 20/night for a 1 person guestroom, € 50/night for a 2 person guestroom), communication costs
with family at home country and the registration at the City Hall (administrative costs, ID pictures, …).
One-time (installation) costs
Housing
- Telephone costs for appointments Free use of telephone in computer room of Housing Service Free use of
telephone in
computer room of
Housing Service
- Rent deposit € 350 € 700
- Rent for 1st month € 350 (basic student room) € 700
(2 person apartment)
- Utilities costs: phone, water, electricity, fire insurance etc.
Included in estimated rent Included in
estimated rent
- Bicycle rent and € 17/ 1 month; € 58/10 months; € 70/12 months
guarantee (at Velo)
- Health insurance around € 110 around € 110
These installation costs are normally spent once a year. The number of available accommodations
in subsidised housing for KU Leuven scholarship holders is quite limited, and are governed by very
strict conditions. Thus do not count too much on this. The estimated rent indicated above is the
rent for housing in the private sector, which is considerably higher than in the subsidised housing.
47
Yearly study costs
Single With partner
- Tuition fee See table See table
- Third Party Liability insurance € 13 € 13
- Sport card (optional) € 20 € 20
- Culture card (optional) € 15 € 15
Study materials € 500 € 500
Academic activities € 350 € 350
Registration
The registration fee can vary depending on the academic programme or course of study. The costs
for study materials as well as for academic activities can vary depending on the programme.
Monthly living costs (total) € 750 € 1350
- Monthly rent for lodgings - Monthly utilities costs included € 350 in rent € 700
in rent
Monthly living costs
€ 400 € 650
Monthly costs housing
The monthly costs include the expenses for housing (monthly rent + monthly costs) and the monthly living costs. The following items are covered by the monthly living costs: food, clothes, medical
costs, purchase of household implements, language courses, relaxation/free time, transportation
costs. The yearly housing and living costs will of course be higher depending on the number of
family members.
Preparation and departure for home country
Depending on country
Before departure for one’s home country, a budget needs to be foreseen for the following costs:
closing accounts, ticket reservation costs, costs for ticket(s), transportation costs and shipping
costs for baggage.
48
3.6.
Welcome and Integration
@ KU Leuven
Coming to a new environment!
As a new international student or scholar at KU
Leuven, you will be faced with a multitude of
changes, decisions and adjustments; perhaps
the most exciting and challenging of these will
be your on-going adjustment to life in Belgium.
A pattern of cultural adjustments often occurs
over a period of several weeks or months. Most
of you will spend your first weeks settling in.
During this period you may feel excited, eager
and happy to be in this country.
After a while, however, things may not be as
easy as you had expected. You may miss your
accustomed ways of dealing with every day life.
Speaking and listening to English or Dutch and
trying to understand how things are done here
may seem to require big efforts. This phase is
often referred to as culture shock. You may feel
homesick and idealize your life back home. You
may become frustrated, angry, anxious and
depressed. This is a natural reaction to living in
a new culture.
Here are a few guidelines to help you cope
with it:
• Realize that your reactions are very common
• Disconnect from home: do not talk to your
family every day, but write them your reports
and new experiences from time to time.
• Stay in touch with your programme coordinator
• Talk about your feelings with friends or with a
counsellor (see Study Advisory Centre, Medical and Psychotherapeutic Centre, p. 56).
• Start a journal about your new adventure and
include your thoughts and feelings.
• Follow the intercultural training sessions
offered during Orientation Days or during the
academic year (programme on KU Leuven
newsletter).
• Last but not least: it is most important to get
involved with other students.
“I advise them to be strong, try to forget
home and family as much as possible and
make friends here instead till they finish
their study. They need to learn different
cultures also as most Ethiopians are only
good at their school but not in their social
interaction.” (student from Ethiopia)
49
Welcome and integration
activities
• Orientation Days
Before the start of each semester, KU Leuven organises Orientation Days to learn
about Leuven, the university and and to meet
a lot of fellow students. As a new international exchange or master studente, we strongly
recommended you to attend the Orientation
Days, organised in the week of 17 September
2012 and in the week of 4 February, 2013.
Programme and registration via
www.kuleuven.be/orientationdays
• Buddy Programme
ask for a local ‘buddy’ to help you find your
way around the university, Leuven and Belgium, you can request a personal buddy, a
KU Leuven student (a Flemish student or another international student) who will answer
all your practical questions. Most of the your
buddies will also introduce you to Belgian
habits and customs, and some even to their
own family. He/she can help you out during
your first days and weeks in Leuven and in
our culture. Ask for a buddy via the form on
www.kuleuven.be/orientationdays/buddy.
• Pangaea, the International Meeting Centre
become a member, enjoy free coffee and tea
during the whole semester and join its activities (trips, conversation groups, movie evenings, workshops); you can also volunteer at
the bar (see p. 54).
www.kuleuven.be/pangaea
• International student associations
(see LOKO International p. 113)
50
• Contact and join the Student Council of
your Faculty (see on p. 112)
• International Contact Club (ICC) organises
visits and trips for postgraduate students and
researchers (also the partners of visiting professors). When you enrol as a foreign doctoral,
post-doc or visiting professor, you, your partner and your whole family automatically become a member of ICC Membership is completely free. ICC organises trips in Belgium
and abroad (Amsterdam, Paris, Lille etc) and
evening visits (guided visits in Leuven), Contact: [email protected] or [email protected],
www.kuleuven.be/icc
Important Facebookgroups
• IO KU Leuven Officer
• Pangaea – Katholieke Universiteit Leuven
• Loko International (student body council)
• Buddy Programme KU Leuven
• IExchange Leuven (International Exchange
Leuven)
• ESN Leuven: ‘Erasmus Leuven’
Overview: Welcome & Integration on
www.kuleuven.be/welcome
Intercultural Officer
Naamsestraat 63 – 3000 Leuven
Tel. 016 32 37 46
[email protected]
During your stay
& services for
4.1.Offices
international students
4.1.1. KU Leuven
Central services
International Office
Atrechtcollege
www.kuleuven.be/international/contact
International Admissions and Mobility
International Admissions and Mobility (IAM)
Tel. 016 32 40 78 • Fax 016 32 37 73
[email protected]
Open Weekday mornings from 9:00 am
to 12:30 pm
• the first point of contact between international students and KU Leuven administration
• admissions office for all international
applicants as well as for those applying
for scholarships (development cooperation,
inter- university staff exchange agreements,
research activities)
• payment of scholarships
• administration and admission of exchange
students (ERASMUS and other)
Hospitality Programme
• Orientation Days for new students and
scholars (September and February)
• buddy programme for international guests
• cross-cultural communication workshops for
KU Leuven staff
• strong collaboration with the International
Meeting Centre ‘Pangaea’ (see p. 54) and
the International Contact Club (see p. 50)
52
www.kuleuven.be/orientationdays
www.kuleuven.be/english/intercultural/
[email protected]
International Projects and Programmes
International Policy
Tel. 016 32 40 46 • Fax 016 32 40 22
www.kuleuven.be/international/index
• sets priorities for international cooperation
• contributes to the development
of its international strategy
• provides a range of professional services,
from advising on funding opportunities to
assisting with grant applications and
negotiating bilateral agreements.
Development Cooperation
• cooperation projects with the South to
support people-oriented sustainable
development
• joint research activities
• offers: funding opportunities for projects,
training programmes for students and staff
from developing countries and scholarship
and funding opportunities.
Development Cooperation
Tel. 016 32 40 17 • Fax 016 32 40 22
www.kuleuven.be/international/development_cooperation/index.html
Academic Diplomacy
Mr. Bart Hendrickx
[email protected]
tel. 016 32 40 21
Student Services
Student services encompass a number of different counselling services whose objective is
to promote the social, physical, mental and
financial well-being of all students. Thanks to
the cooperation agreements between Studentenvoorzieningen/ Student Services KU Leuven
and the non-profit associations (vzw’s) providing social services for the institutions of higher
education, most of the services listed below are
centrally organised for all Leuven students.
Student services
Except where otherwise mentioned,
all offices are located at the Van Dalecollege,
See also www.kuleuven.be/studentservices
Human Resources Department
HR Policy and Support
• The HR consultant is your contact person for
any HR related question you might have (e.g.
with regard to recruitment, evaluation, training, career development, conflict management, etc.).
HR Department
Parijsstraat 72b box 5540 - B-3000 Leuven
Tel. 016 32 83 00 • Fax 016 32 83 10
[email protected]
Open: weekdays from 8:00 am until 5:00 pm
Payroll Office
• administrative support with regard to social
security contributions, advance tax payment,
child benefit, retirement rights, etc.
• Your payroll officer is your contact person
concerning payment of your salary/grant,
contracts and certificates, administration of
holidays, leaves of absence and illness, etc.
Housing Service
The Housing Service receives international students and provides them with practical information and assistance in finding temporary and
permanent housing. Throughout the academic
year international students can turn to this office for help and advice whenever they have
questions or problems related to their housing
situation.
Housing Service
(see also Chapter 4: Accommodation)
Tel. 016 32 44 00 • Fax 016 32 88 20
[email protected]
www.kuleuven.be/accommodation
Open Weekdays from 2:00 until 5:00 pm
From 1 June to 30 September:
and from 2:00 until 5:00 pm
53
Kot culture, mobility and environment
advisors
The “kot” culture, mobility and environment advisors try to raise awareness about transportation, the environment and the unique culture of
student houses. They will answer any questions
about waste prevention and sorting, responsible energy and water use, composting, bus and
train travel, bicycle safety, community participation, and many other issues.
The advisors do not only provide information,
they also promote new projects and experiments in the area of sustainability and ecologically responsible lifestyles, f.ex. the Veggie bag
(see p. 78).
Tel. 016 32 93 01 & 02
Fax 016 32 88 20
[email protected]
Open daily but please give us a call or leave
a message by mail in order to make an appointment.
Pangaea
International Meeting Centre
‘Pangaea’ is the name of the original single continent which made up the entire land surface of
the earth some 175 million years ago. ‘Pangaea’
is also the name of the international students’
centre at KU Leuven. Pangaea is a lively meeting place where international and Belgian students can get together in an informal setting.
It has a lounge with a coffee bar and a large
assortment of international newspapers and
magazines, a recreational room with table tennis facilities, a TV room with DVD equipment,
three computers and much more.
Pangaea offers a wide range of activities such
as concerts, movies, lectures, workshops, trips,
and language conversation groups. Member-
54
ship only costs € 4 for students and includes
benefits such as free coffee or tea in the Pangaea lounge and discounts for activities organised by Pangaea. To run the bar, Pangaea is constantly looking for volunteers to help out.
Pangaea
Vesaliusstraat 34 • B-3000 Leuven
Tel. 016 32 33 96 • Fax 016 32 33 90
[email protected]
www.kuleuven.be/pangaea
Open: Coffee Lounge: Monday to Thursday
from 12:00 noon until 8:00 pm
On Friday and Saturday from noon to
midnight.
Office: Monday from 10:00 am until
12:00 noon and from 2:00 until 5:00 pm
Tuesday and Thursday from 2:00 until
5:00 pm, Friday from 10:00 am until 1:00 pm
Social Service
As an international student studying in Leuven,
you don’t always know where to go with your
questions or problems. That is why the social
service wants to be a “steppingstone” where
you can ask any question of a practical, legal or
financial nature. If the answer to your question
lies outside their area of competence, they will
refer you to the right authority.
It is a general rule that students have to provide
sufficient funds for the period they spend here.
However, in rare cases, this office can offer
temporary financial support to individuals who
have run into severe financial difficulties due to
unforeseen circumstances.
Each case will be examined by the service and
the request is then evaluated by the Study Finances Committee. Students who encounter
both medical and financial problems can submit
a request for repayment of the amount that the
health insurance does not cover. A committee
consisting of a member of the Social Service
and a physician decides on a case-by-case basis.
Social Service (see also chapter 3.3.:
Insurance and Health Care)
Tel. 016 32 44 28 • Fax 016 32 84 12
www.kuleuven.be/socialservices
[email protected]
Open: Weekdays from 2:00 pm
until 5:00 pm
The Study Advice Service acts as the central
information point on study-related matters for
both national and international students. You
are welcome throughout your student career:
before you enter the university, while you are
studying at the university and after you have
graduated. The Service offers information about
study programmes at KU Leuven through brochures and/or internet.
You can also visit the office to find out which
study programme fits best your particular wishes and goals. If needed, you will be provided
with some personal assistance during your
search. Several informative events are set up
on behalf of the students and the office participates in all the major study fairs. If you are
already studying in Leuven you may contact the
Study Advice Service when you require personal, individual study guidance.
The Centre can guide you through the maze of
master’s, MBA and LLM programmes.
Tel. 016 32 43 11
[email protected]
www.kuleuven.be/studyadvice
Open
Monday till Thursday from 2:00 pm until
5:00 pm or by appointment
Service for Students with Disabilities
This service offers facilities to students with
hearing or vision impairment, physical disability,
chronic illness, learning disability, psychiatric
disability (including ASD and ADHD) in the areas
of understanding lectures, self-study, examination,... You need to be recognized by the Service
for Students with Disabilities in order to be eligible for facilities. Students with disabilities are
recommended to contact the disability officer
of the Service as early as possible.
Service for Students with Disabilities
Tel. 016 32 44 26
[email protected]
www.kuleuven.be/studentservices/disability
You can also sign up for various sessions such
as Effective Study Methods, Study Planning
System, Writing Master Thesis or Presentation Techniques. Before you graduate, you will
be advised by the career counselling service,
which prepares you for your first steps in the
job market. If you are looking for postgraduate
study programmes, either in Belgium or abroad,
the Study Advice Service is also the place to be.
55
Student Employment Service
Quite a lot of students look for a job to earn
some extra money and to gain some experience. This service can provide information concerning employment possibilities. Job offers
are posted online. The type of job ranges from
babysitting to translating, data entry, etc. Please
keep in mind that many jobs require you to
speak Dutch. The Student Employment Service
also informs you about the Belgian employment
law with its strict regulations regarding employing international students. Students from outside the European Union, Bulgaria and Romania
must have a work permit type C if they want to
work during the academic year. These students
are not allowed to work for more than twenty
hours a week. Studying must be their main occupation. During the official school holidays, all
students can work without a work permit.
Tel. 016 32 44 34 • Fax 016 32 44 39
[email protected]
www.kuleuven.be/studentemployment
Jobdatabase: www.kuleuven.be/studentjob
Open Weekdays from 2:00 until 5:00 pm
Legal Service
This office provides information and assistance
on legal matters: rental contracts, civil law (marriage, insurance), criminal law, etc. It is not common practice to consult the legal service directly. In general, students are referred to the legal
service by one of the other services, only by
appointment (e.g. the Social Service, Student
Employment Service).
Legal service
Tel. 016 32 44 31 • Fax 016 32 84 12
[email protected]
56
Medical Centre for Students (*)
The Medical Centre is staffed by a team of
doctors with extensive experience in student
related health issues, such as concentration
disorders, stress, contraception, etc. The Centre’s daily practice focuses on prevention and
information, and on the physical and mental
well-being of students in general. Students with
problems of a psychological nature can be referred to the Psychotherapeutic Centre.
Medical Centre for Students
Tel. 016 32 44 20 • Fax 016 32 44 14
[email protected]
www.kuleuven.be/studentservices/
health/medical_centre.html
Consultations by appointment only
Weekdays from 8:30 am until 6:00 pm
(holidays 9:00 am until 5:00 pm)
House calls by request, in case of serious illness
Night and weekend emergency service:
070 25 70 25
Psychotherapeutic Centre (*)
Students dealing with personal or psychological
problems can apply to the Psychotherapeutic
Centre for professional help. The therapists and
psychiatrists run various therapy and training
sessions adapted to the individual needs of the
student. English-speaking therapists are available.
Psychotherapeutic Centre
Tel. 016 32 43 43 • Fax 016 32 43 67
[email protected]
www.kuleuven.be/studentservices/
health/psychotherapeutic_centre.html
Consultations by appointment only
(holidays 9:00 am until 5:00 pm)
Ombudsperson for Students
KU Leuven has appointed an ombudsperson to
deal with certain kinds of unacceptable behaviour (bullying, violence and sexual harassment)
within the university community. The duty of
the ombudsperson is to assist students who
are victims of this type of behaviour. The ideal
outcome is to stop the unwanted behaviour
without any negative consequences for the victim.
Ombudsperson
Ms. Marleen Gheldof
Psychotherapeutic Centre
Tel. 016 32 43 43 • Fax 016 32 43 43
www.kuleuven.be/studentservices/health/
ombuds.html
[email protected]
Consultations: Tuesdays from 11 am until
12 noon
4.1.2. KHLeuven, GROUP T and
Lemmensinstituut
The services mentioned above are also open to
students from KHLeuven(*), GROUP T and the
LEMMENSINSTITUUT. The cooperation agreements between Studentenvoorzieningen KU
Leuven and the institutions of higher education
are coordinated by the following non-profit associations:
Student Service KHLeuven
Tel. 016 375 748
[email protected]
www.khleuven.be
Coordinator: Anne-Mie Meers
[email protected]
GROUP T
Andreas Vesaliusstraat 13 • B-3000 Leuven
Tel. 016 30 11 23 • Fax 016 30 10 40
International Officer: Wim Polet
[email protected]
[email protected]
www.group-t.com
LEMMENSINSTITUUT
SoVo W&K
Campus Lemmensinstituut
Tel. 016 23 39 67
[email protected]
www.lemmens.wenk.be
(*)The Medical and Psychotherapeutic Centre are open to students from KU Leuven, GROUP
T, Lemmens Instituut and Vlerick. Students from KHLeuven are referred to the general practitioners of Leuven (see also chapter IV: Health Care). For psychological counselling and therapy,
students should first apply to the student service of their department, which will refer them to
GIBS (www. gibs.be) or CPR.
57
4.1.3. City of Leuven
The city of Leuven provides a number of social
services that students are also welcome to call
on for help.
General Services
Welfare Services - Dienst Sociale Zaken
This office provides information concerning organisations in and around Leuven. Disabled persons (officially resident in Leuven) can request
application forms related to special benefits
(our bus cannot provide transportation for individuals). All inhabitants of Leuven, including students officially resident in Leuven can request
application forms for birth and adoption premiums and assistance in raising a disabled child.
B-3000 Leuven
Tel. 016 27 26 18 • Fax 016 27 28 25
[email protected] • www.leuven.be
Open office-counter
Thursdays from 12:00 noon until 8:00 pm
If necessary, an appointment can be made
outside the office hours.
Youth Info Point (JIP)
JIP informs young people about sociocultural
activities and associations in Leuven (e.g. everything you need to know when organising a
party, legal issues affecting young people, time
management, etc.). This advice is provided free
of charge.
JIP
Brusselsestraat 61a • B-3000 Leuven
Tel. 016 24 66 91 • Fax 016 24 66 99
[email protected] • www.leuven.be/jeugd
Open: Weekdays from 9:00 until 4:30 pm
Youth Counselling Centre (JAC )
JAC informs, advises and counsels young people about the rights of minors, work, studies,
sex, drugs, student jobs, etc. This service is free
of charge.
JAC
Redingenstraat 6 • B-3000 Leuven
Tel. 016 24 10 24 • Fax 016 21 01 02
[email protected] • www.jacleuven.be
Health
Aids & STD’s
Anyone with questions about AIDS or any other
sexually transmitted diseases – STDs – can
call the AIDS & STD hotline. Volunteers are on
stand-by to listen and give advice.
AIDS & STD
Hotline: 078 15 11 00 (working days, except
Thursdays, from 1:00 pm until 4:00 pm)
[email protected] • www.sensoa.be
www.condomobiel.be
58
Centre for Relationship and Pregnancy
Problems
Centrum voor relatievorming en zwangerschapsproblemen
Information about self-help groups dealing with
pregnancy and abortion issues (i.e. unwanted
pregnancies, teen pregnancies, etc.). There are
two hotlines (prenatal diagnosis and unwanted
pregnancies) as well as selfsupport groups
for women who have recently experienced an
abortion.
cRZ
Geldenaaksebaan 277 • B-3001 Leuven
Tel. 016 33 69 54
Tel. information about unwanted pregnancies: 078 15 30 45 (every day from 6:00 until
10:00 pm)
Tel. information about prenatal diagnosis:
078 15 35 55 (Mondays till Thursdays
during office hours)
[email protected] • www.crz.be
Gay and Lesbian Associations
Holebihuis
Diestsesteenweg 24 • B-3010 Kessel-Lo
[email protected], [email protected]
www.holebihuis.be
Goed GEZINd
“Goed GEZINd” is an organisation affiliated
with the holebihuis specifically targeting holebi
families and their children.It provides information to holebi parents (or to people wishing to
become one) and offers activities for holebi couples and their children.
Leonardo
A new, English speaking group for international
lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people,
located at the “Holebihuis”, created for all non
local people who are staying in Belgium for a
short or long period of time. Our goal is to give
everyone the opportunity to get to know other
people with a different background and life experiences from all over the world. Weekly activities.
[email protected]
Tel. 016 60 12 63
www.holebihuis.be
Driekant/&of
Driekant/&of organise a wide array of activities where gays, lesbians and bisexuals from
the Leuven area can meet. “&of” is the youth
branch run by and for young people (26 and under). For dates, places and times of parties or
events or for more information, visit the websites.
Driekant/&of
Tel. 0475 92 85 67
[email protected] • www.driekant.be
[email protected] • www.enof.be
Labyrint
Labyrint is an association for lesbians committed to sports and many other activities
Labyrint
Diestsesteenweg 24• B-3000 Leuven
Mob. 0487 36 21 13
[email protected]
www.labyrint-vzw.be
www.holebihuis.be
59
Holebifoon
Call Holebifoon for information about and for homosexuals, lesbians and bisexuals.
Mondays and Wednesdays from 6:30 to
21.30 pm
Holebifoon
Tel. 0800 99 533 (free number)
www.holebifoon.be • www.holebihuis.be
Legal Advice
The Local Anti-Discrimination Center
The Anti-Discrimination Center works to prevent and remedy all forms of discrimination in
Leuven in housing, employment, education,
and public accommodations. through advocacy,
litigation, education, outreach, monitoring, and
research.
Meldpunt Discriminatie
B-3000 Leuven
Tel. 016 27 26 00 • Fax 016 27 28 25
[email protected]
Legal and Victim Assistance Centre
Centrum voor Algemeen Welzijnswerk
(CAW )
Justitieel Welzijnswerk - Centrum Slachtofferhulp
These offices give advice to anyone who has to
deal with legal issues, whether as an alleged
perpetrator, a victim or a relative of a perpetrator or victim. The Victim Assistance Centre is at
the service of victims of crime in any form (i.e.,
robbery, break-in, vandalism, rape, etc.). They
also offer legal aid to convicts in the Leuven jail,
including arranging for family visits.
CAW
Victim Assistance: tel. 016 21 01 03
[email protected]
Legal Assistance: tel. 016 21 01 05
[email protected] • www.cawleuven.be
Open: Weekdays during working hours
(Victim Assistance)
House of Justice - Justitiehuis
The Leuven Justitiehuis provides free legal
advice every Tuesday from 4:30 till 6:30
pm, Wednesday from 2:30 till 4:00 pm and
Thursday from 9:00 till 11:00 am (only after
appointment by telephone 016 30 14 50)
Justitiehuis
Bondgenotenlaan 116 bus 3
B-3000 Leuven
Tel. 016 30 14 50 • Fax 016 30 14 55
Tel. 016 30 14 60 (lawyers)
[email protected]
60
Drugs
The Drug-Line
The Drug-Line answers questions about drinking, drugs and substance abuse. Anonymity is
guaranteed.
Druglijn
Tel. 078 15 10 20 • www.druglijn.be
Het Veerhuis
Het Veerhuis is an easily accessible drug aid
centre and helps all those with questions about
illegal drug use. The staff is ready to help with
individual counselling, self-help groups for people who want to quit, and various other activities and workshops.
Het Veerhuis
St.-Annastraat 1 • B-3000 Leuven
Tel. 016 23 65 57 • Fax 016 23 92 62
[email protected]
www.siddartha.be/drugverlening.htm
Open Tuesday from 9:00 am until 12:00
noon, Thursday from 2:00 until 5:00 pm
Studying with Children
Maternity care - De Bakermat
De Bakermat provides home-care services for
new mothers, pre-natal or post-natal housecalls, information, and helps with the rental or
purchase of child-care material.
Tel. 016 20 77 40
[email protected]
www.debakermat.be
Open: Monday to Friday from 9:00 am until
12:30 pm and by appointment
Child & Family
Kind & Gezin
Kind en Gezin offers a wide range of baby and
child care services. Expecting parents, and parents of children up to 6, can get free medical assistance and advice on baby care and feeding.
Contact the regional office to ask questions or
get the information that you need. You can also
make an appointment for a housecall.
Kind & Gezin
K&G Vlaams-Brabant en Brussel
Diestsepoort 6 - P.O. Box 56
B-3000 Leuven
Tel. 016 21 05 11 • Fax 016 62 42 96
secr.vlaamsbrabantenbrussel@
kindengezin.be • www.kindengezin.be
Open every weekday from 8:00 am until
4:30 pm
Birth and Adoption Premium
Welfare services / Dienst Welzijn
New parents officially resident in Leuven (i.e.
everyone living here for longer than 3 months)
can apply for a birth or adoption premium.
When declaring the birth or adoption of a child
at Registry Office of births, deaths and marriages (Burgerlijke Stand), an application form
will be provided. The amount of the premium
depends on the parents’ income.
Birth and Adoption Premium
Welfare services - Dienst Welzijn
B-3000 Leuven
Tel. 016 27 26 18 • Fax 016 27 28 25
61
4.2.Studying in Leuven
4.2.1. The Educational system
KU Leuven
The Credit Accumulation System
KU Leuven organise its programmes according
to a credit accumulation system. Most programmes are composed of various educational
stages, but deliberations are only held at the
end of a degree programme, allowing for more
flexible pathways through the programmes. A number of measures are in place in order to
monitor each student’s study progress and in
order to limit the total period of study. Each academic year, bachelor’s students are able to
choose which fail marks they want not want
to retake (within certain limits). In master’s
programmes, fail marks are not permitted: all
(advanced) master’s programmes can be only
achieved by obtaining all the necessary credits. The KU Leuven regulations on education and
examinations include rules about which courses can be taken in which programmes and
how many credits students may take in one
academic year per programme. The regulations
also state the deadlines by which definitive
choices must be made by students about their
individual programmes (usually within the first
three weeks of the semester). These deadlines
and rules are also integrated in the electronic
system used to record student’s course choices
( the so-called ‘ISP’ or Individual Study Programme). At the same time, students get assigned examination days or (in case the examination days are not assigned) they can choose
their examinations days.
62
Structured, personal and collective study
track guidance
Study guidance (included advice about pathways) is supported structurally by IT tools
(“study progress file”). The study progress file
includes, among other things, the automatic
permission or refusal for a third registration, depending on the cumulative study efficiency. Furthermore, both explanations for specific student
groups and individual guidance for students in
exceptional circumstances are available. The reports of the examination results (also included
in the study progress file) after every examination period and after the final examination period
of the academic year contain, amongst others,
the following: detailed list of courses with the
results obtained by the student, including the
ECTS-percentile, the overall result so far in the
degree programme (inclusing average result,
cumulative study efficiency and study progress).
All students are given the opportunity to discuss their results, their study progress and the
choices relating to their programme with pathway advisers and to seek their advice. Students
with a cumulative study efficiency of lower
than 50% are invited to discuss their situation. The learning account Examination Regulations? The Flemish Ministry of Education grants all initial bachelor’s or master’s students a “learning
account,” which is based on the credits already
used to compose their programmes of studies.
Students stake some of their vouchers against
each of their study years, with the aim of earning them back. KU Leuven only receives funding
from the Flemish government for initial bachelor’s and master’s programme students with
sufficient learning accounts. This learning account affects all KU Leuven students registered
in initial bachelor’s and master’s programmes.
Students in other programmes, such as postinitial master’s or doctoral programmes, are not
affected by the learning account. All examinations held at KU Leuven are governed by the official regulations on education
and examinations. The most recent version
of these regulations is available online (www.
kuleuven.be/education/regulations/index.php).
You are strongly advised to read these regulations carefully, so that you will be aware of
your rights and responsibilities at exam time.
Important note: in addition to the general examination regulations, some faculties also have
additional examination regulations which apply only to examinations in that faculty. These
may lay down certain additional requirements,
and can also be consulted through the website
mentioned above. In particular the international
master’s programmes often include supplementary examination regulations.
How does it work?
If you are following an initial bachelor’s or master’s programme, you receive initial learning accounts totalling 140 credits. At the beginning
of the year, the number of credits for which
you have registered is subtracted from your
learning account. You earn back the credits you
pass, and lose those that you fail, even if you
pass the year overall.
After the final year of your first Flemish initial
master’s study programme, you receive your
successful credits back, but the programme’s
original 140 credits are subtracted, leaving you
with your final total. You can always consult your
learning account at the ‘Studentenportaal’ website (https://studentenportaal.vlaanderen.be/ dho-portaal/start.do). For examples, consult
www.kuleuven.be/ learningaccount/count.html
General Rules
Exams are graded on a 20 point scale, or – in specific cases – on a pass/fail scale. A student with
a score of at least 10/20 (or a passing result) obtains a credit for that course. It is not common
to obtain 18/20 or more, such marks are rather
exceptional. The most common marks gained
are from 10- 14/20 (see the schedule). Once
acquired, a course credit is permanently valid,
but after 5 years the curriculum committee may
impose an ‘actualisation’ study programme.
Students can be exempted from courses based
on (a) credits acquired elsewhere (another programme, another institution), and (b) competencies acquired outside a formal learning context
(i.e. prior experiential learning). 63
KU Leuven marks on a scale of 20: Mark /20
20
Frequency
Elements in your answer
0,2%
19
18
17
Exceptional, additional analyses, additional information
24,8%
16
15
Own examples and counterexamples, comparisons,
critics, applications
14
13
12
50%
11
Memorizing literally, basic understanding
10
8-9
0-7
Structuring answer
25%
Superficial knowlegde-comprehension
Lack of knowledge-comprehension
Ombudsperson Examination Format The ombudsperson is someone who has been
appointed to mediate between students and
lecturers in cases of dispute.
The ombudsperson fulfils a very important role.
He/ she decides whether an examination can be
postponed or not, and mediates in conflicts. If
you have problems of any kind during the exams, you can go and talk to him/her. If you do
not show up for an exam, without previously notifying the ombudsman, you will be considered
illegally absent.
The examination is normally administered by
the person in charge of the course. The examination schedule will have to indicate if more
than one examiner is acting for a single course,
or if there are several people in charge of the
course and you only have to take an exam with
one of them. Exams may be administered by
people other than the professors in charge
only in cases of lab examinations, seminars
etc. The professor is still responsible for the final grade and the professor is the only one who
deliberates on the board of examiners. At the start of every course, professors are required to provide students with detailed infor-
65
mation not only about the course content and
its objectives, but also about the examination
material and evaluation methods, including the
relative weighting of any separate parts of the
course for which a partial grade might be assigned. If this differs from examination period
to examination period, this should also be clarified at the start of the academic year. The format of the examination, i.e. oral or written, is
determined before the start of the academic
year.
In oral examinations you have the right to a
(written) preparation period of at least 20 minutes. In many cases you will be admitted into
the same room where the professor is examining other students. You will be handed your questions and will have to prepare while one or more
students take their oral exams. This is not at all
unusual, so be prepared for this. If there are special circumstances (such as a
handicap, etc.) for which you think you would
like to request a different examination format,
please submit your request before the beginning of the examination period. If you feel uncertain about the objectivity of an examiner
during an oral examination, you can ask to have
another person (neither a relative, nor someone
enrolled in the same programme) sit nearby
during the exam. You must submit a request
for this at least seven days before the exam. tion by the board of examiners. Your detailed results will be posted electronically. After the
examination period is over, you can ask for further explanation from the examiner or from a
person that has been specifically appointed for
that purpose. If you want to appeal your grades,
you can ask to consult your examination papers. This way you can check any comments
the examiner has written on your paper.
Examination Irregularities, Sanctions and Appeals
If you are suspected of having committed an
irregularity (e.g. plagiarism or another kind
of fraud) during an examination, you have the
right to continue that examination. It is up to
the board of examiners to decide, afterwards,
whether you have indeed committed a serious
irregularity. The board may request further comments from you before it makes a decision. The
board of examiners decides what sanction, if
any, will be applied. Possible sanctions include
failing the course or being denied the opportunity to take other examinations for the rest of
that academic year.
Communicating the
Examination Results
If you believe that an examiner has committed
a procedural irregularity (e.g. failure to indicate
what is expected of students, rude behaviour
during exams, etc.) it is important to notify the
ombudsperson, who can contact the chair of
the board of examiners. He will investigate your
claim and undertake actions accordingly.
Examiners are not allowed to give you direct
feedback after an examination, so there is no
point in asking them. If you think you need to
know how you did on certain exams because
you feel terribly unsure about continuing,consult
the ombudsperson. The overall results will be
publicly announced immediately after delibera-
As a student, you have the right to appeal any
decision made by the board of examiners. Appeals are submitted to the Dean of Students up
to five days following the announcement of the
disputed examination result. After consulting all
parties involved, the Dean of Students will take
new decision or decide that the decision of the
66
KHLeuven
Detailed information about objectives, learning content, bibliography, assignments and the
type of examination must be communicated to
the students by the lecturer of the course unit
in the course guide given to the student at the
beginning of the academic year.
The student is entitled to two examination opportunities per registration for the course unit.
During the examination periods an ombudsperson is on stand-by to help students with any
problems that might arise.
There are two main examination periods:
the first period is split up into two sessions:
a)a maximum of 14 calendar days in the second half of January for course units or parts
thereof taught in the first semester, and
b)in June for course units taught in the second
semester and/or first semester. In the second
half of August and the first half of September,
a second examination period is organised.
examination committee can be upheld. Bear in
mind that the ombudsperson can be a very important person for you in these matters. He or
she can assist you and guide you through all the
procedures. If you are still dissatisfied with the
final decision made by the Dean of Student affairs or the outcome of a new decision by the
board of examiners, there is always the possibility of taking the matter to court. There is a
specific administrative court set up for this: the
Court of Examination. The Court of Examination
Disputes can ask the university to make a new
decision. The normal courts can, in principle,
only award you damages; they cannot overturn
the university’s decision. A mark of 10/20 or a pass is validated with a
credit certificate for life.
The final detailed timetable of the examinations
is posted at least 30 days before the start of the
examination period, after a provisional draft has
been posted for seven calendar days beforehand for consultation and written amendment
proposals to the ombudsperson by all involved.
All arrangements for examinations as described
above are to be communicated to the students
in the study contract given to the student at the
beginning of the academic year.
The examination regulations are updated annually and can be found at our website via www.
leuvenuniversitycollege/ects.
67
Ombudsperson
The ombudsperson is someone who has been
appointed to mediate between students and
lecturers in cases of dispute.
The ombudsperson fulfils a very important role.
He/ she decides whether an examination can
be postponed or not, and mediates in conflicts.
If you have problems of any kind during the exams, you can go and talk to him/her. If you do
not show up for an exam, without previously
notifying the ombudsman, you will be considered illegally absent.
Group T uses two systems of evaluation: permanent evaluation and summary evaluation.
Permanent evaluation refers to regular evaluation of a student’s performance during the academic year. Summary evaluation refers to the
evaluation of their performance during the examination periods (January, June, and re-examinations in September). Registered students are
automatically registered for the entire examination period. GROUP T students will be provided
with the full text of the examination regulations
upon registration.
Ombudsperson
During examinations the ombudspersons ensure good communication between students
and staff. If you encounter any problems during
the examination periods, make sure you inform
the ombudsperson. Students are always welcome to send an email to: [email protected]
68
LEMMENSINSTITUUT
& Kunst)
There are 3 examination periods (January, May/
June and August/September). There is also a
permanent evaluation. Examination regulations
are updated annually. You can consult them on
Toledo.
During the academic year and during examination periods the ombudsperson ensures good
communication between students and lecturers/ staff. Contact: maaike.dezitter@lemmens.
wenk.be
4.2.2. Libraries
“I will never forget the first time I was at
the central library I couldn’t read because
I was so delighted and happy I was just
amazed to have such a great privilege,
I think all students may come to Leuven
and have this experience, to be in the heart
of Europe, to learn different languages, it is
really the most beautiful experience I had.”
(student from Chili)
The KU Leuven University
Library
The university library system is composed of 11
libraries spread out over the various campuses.
The Central Library is housed in one of the most
prestigious buildings of the University on Mgr.
Ladeuzeplein. It contains some fine heritage
collections. Its vast stack room contains the
depository collections of the University Library.
With its extensive programme of expositionsand events the Central Library plays animportant role in the cultural scene of theuniversity
and the town.
The beautiful Campus Library Arenberg (W. de
Croylaan 6, Heverlee) is the main library for researchers in the fields of Science, Bioscience
Engineering, Kinesiology and Rehabilitation
Science. In addition, the University Library
has access to a wide range of bibliographical
databases and scholarly electronic resources
which can be accessed from any computer
connected to the KU Leuven network. There is
an online catalogue for the University Library
and other connected libraries. You have ac-
cess to this online catalogue on the following
address: http://opac.libis.be. Your student or
staff card gives you automatic access to all the
university libraries and their various services.
During each study and exam period the project
“Blokken in Leuven” pays attention to longer
opening hours, extra study places and the communication with regard to this. Consult: http://
bib.kuleuven.be/english/ub/access-and-use/
studying/blokken-in-leuven
The Central Library on Mgr. Ladeuzeplein houses a huge carillon (63 bells): possibility to climb
the library tower and attend the weekly carillon
concerts (see on p. 95).
More information about the University Library:
http://bib.kuleuven.be/english/ub/
KHLeuven
At KHLeuven, each department has its own
library where you can find subject-related
books, magazines, CDs and Internet access.
For opening hours check with the departmental
librarian.
Chief Librarian: Piet de Keyser
[email protected]
www.khleuven.be/bib
GROUP T students can use the KU Leuven
library facilities on the same conditions as the
KU Leuven students.
69
LEMMENSINSTITUUT
(Hogeschool voor
Wetenschap & Kunst)
Lemmensinstituut has its own library with musical scores, music-related books, music magazines and internet access.
Open
Monday: Tuesday: Wednesday: Thursday: Friday: 9.00 am - 14.45 pm
9.30 am - 12.30 pm
1.30 pm - 3.30 pm
9.00 am - 12.00 noon
9.00 am - 4.30 pm
9.00 am - 12.00 noon
Leuven Public Library
Tweebronnen
Diestsestraat 49-3000 Leuven
Tel. 016 22 65 22.
[email protected]
www.leuven.be/bibliotheek
The public library of Leuven - named “Tweebronnen” (Two Sources) - offers a collection of reference works, newspapers and weekly periodicals (in Dutch and other languages). There are
online catalogues of the collections and databases such as Mediargus (database of newspaper articles). In Digil@b 10 pc’s are at your disposal for internet consultation. The use of these
pc’s is free of charge for library members. Printing and copying is possible. There are working
tables for reading and studying in a quiet atmosphere. The library has extensive collections on
loan: novels in Dutch, French, English, German,
Spanish, Italian, Arabic and Kurdish.
Also non-fiction works (books and dvd’s) ordered by subject and a diverse collection of
70
comic books. The library presents a large collection of cd’s and dvd’s and a collection of reference works on music, movies and stage arts.
You can borrow library items (15) for four weeks.
Most of the materials in the library can be lent
free of charge; only cd’s and movies will cost
you € 0.50 per item.
To be able to borrow library materials, you need
a library card. The annual fee for a card is € 3
(for free if younger than 18). A membership
card for library consultation only is also free of
charge.
Practical Tip :
In order to register as a library user and obtain
your library card, you will need to show your
ID card. Enrollment is easy if your ID mentions
your address in Belgium or if you can show us
a “Bewijs van woonst” (to be obtained at the
city hall). If not you can still get your library card,
but then you will be asked to pay a refundable
deposit.
4.2.3. Language Schools
An overview of most language learning and
training possibilities can be found on:
www.loko.be/nl/node/98
KU Leuven
Leuven Language Institute
Instituut voor Levende Talen (ILT )
Throughout the academic year, the Leuven Language Institute offers Dutch language courses
for beginners to advanced learners.
In total, 5 basic levels and 1 proficiency level
(60 contact hours) are taught. Each basic level
consists of a module of 80 contact hours.
These modules are offered in standard mode
(6h/week) or in intensive mode (12h/week).
Standard courses take place in the afternoon or
in the evening, while intensive courses are held
in the morning.
Students registering for the ILT Dutch Language
Year will need one academic year in order to
achieve the level required for admission to a
Dutch-taught study programme at KU Leuven.
They start at Level 1 (either during the Intensive
Dutch Summer Course prior to the start of the
academic year, or at the beginning of the academic year in October) and complete Level 5
the following August. The Intensive Dutch Summer Course runs the entire month of August,
with classes held from Monday to Thursday
(20 h/ week).
Throughout the academic year, ILT also offers
two complementary courses designed for international students in a Master’s programme
in English at KU Leuven who wish to upgrade
their English-language skills. The General English course focuses on speaking skills, while
the Academic English course aims to improve
students’ general and academic writing skills.
Both courses offer excellent preparation for a
successful academic career.
ILT
Dekenstraat 6 - Box 5302 - B-3000 Leuven
Tel: 016 32 56 60 • Fax 016 32 56 56
[email protected] • www.ilt.kuleuven.be
CLT Language Centre
Centrum voor Levende Talen
The CLT Language Centre is an adult education
centre recognized by the Flemish government.
It is open to all students who comply with the
compulsory education law, regardless of age. It
offers a wide range of language courses, each
of which is composed of several levels from beginner (A1) to very advanced (C1).
Arabic, Chinese, Danish, English, French, German, Modern Greek, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish,
Swedish and Turkish: all programs are founded
on enhanced and up-to-date teaching methodologies and communication in authentic contexts
is central to our approach. For French, Spanish, Portuguese and Swedish
it offers also blended learning courses that
combine face-to-face instruction with 50%
e-learning.
Intensive summer courses in English, French,
German and Spanish are organised during the
last two weeks of July.
CLT
Dekenstraat 4 – Box 4014 • B-3000 Leuven
Tel: 016 32 56 61 • Fax 016 32 56 95
[email protected] • www.clt.be
71
KHLeuven
Intensive Dutch courses can be taken in the
above mentioned language schools. However,
exchange students who come for a shorter period than a trimester or semester can also follow
intensive Dutch courses at the KHLeuven itself.
ACE-GROUP T
ACE-GROUP T is the language division of
GROUP T and organises a wide selection of language courses with a strong focus on communication skills. You can study Dutch as a Foreign
Language, Spanish, English, French, Italian,
German, Chinese and Thai.
ACE-GROUP T
Tel. 016 30 10 30 • Fax 016 30 10 40
[email protected]
www.groupt.be
Dutch as a Second Language
The objective is not to teach “academic” Dutch,
but rather real-life, everyday Dutch. There are
courses at elementary, intermediate and at advanced level. Beginners can start at their own
pace: either in a one-year weekly course, or in
an intensive course with classes twice or more
a week. There are several starting dates to
choose from.
English Excellence
English Excellence is the English-language
support programme especially for GROUP T
students. The workshops are geared towards
developing speaking and listening skills so that
you feel confident in speaking English whenever required, be it in an academic, professional
or social context. At the end of the course you
can take part in the TOEIC test (Test of English
for International Communication), which will
provide you with an internationally recognised
certificate.
Other Language Courses
GROUP T also offers courses at elementary
level in Chinese, German and Thai, courses at
elementary and intermediate level in Italian,
French and Spanish, and courses at elementary
to advanced level in English.
Lemmensinstituut
& Kunst)
Intensive language courses can be followed in
the language schools (see p. 71)
Other possibilities:
CVO Leuven-Landen
Offers Dutch for non-Dutch speakerscourses
and language courses in Arabic, English, French,
German, Italian and Spanish.
CVO
[email protected] • www.cvoleuven.be
72
Self-Study Packages
(CD-Roms and Videos)
Vanzelfsprekend & Niet Vanzelfsprekend
‘Vanzelfsprekend’ is a multimedia self-study
course for adult learners of Dutch.
Adults with a basic knowledge of English who
have access to a VCR and a cassette recorder or
CD player can learn Dutch at their own speed.
Short and lively units cover the 2,000 most frequent words used in Dutch, the basic grammar
and the essential functions of this language.
‘Vanzelfsprekend’ has been designed to lead
the student to a lower intermediate level. NonDutch speaking international students and researchers are strongly encouraged to start this
course in their country of residence as a preparation for coming to Leuven.
Go Dutch! A Language Course on
CD-ROM
The Go Dutch! course focuses more on the
grammar and vocabulary needed to learn to
speak fluent Dutch in everyday situations quickly. This course is primarily intended for students
who have completed higher education. The explanatory texts are all in English.
Go Dutch! is available from most bookshops
and online booksellers in Belgium and the Netherlands. www.coutinho.nl (you can order the
course from the website).
The materials package contains: textbook,
workbook, glossary, DVD’s and audio cassettes
/ CD’s. It can be ordered from Acco (see p. 74
in this chapter).
The sequel to this course, ‘Niet Vanzelfsprekend’, has recently been published. It is
aimed at people with a basic knowledge of
Dutch, and leads the student to an intermediate
level. The course package contains a textbook,
a workbook, a DVD and a CD and uses a lot of
“authentic” material, such as radio and television fragments, excerpts from newspapers and
magazines.
Every chapter deals with a theme relevant to
language learners of this level: money matters,
work, studies, travel and culture. As regards
language content, the course builds on ‘Vanzelfsprekend’, but students who took a different elementary course can also use it. www.acco.be
73
4.2.4. ACCO
The purpose of the “Academic Cooperative”
(ACCO) has never changed: offering syllabuses
and textbooks at reasonable prices. Currently
ACCO edits more than 1000 different manuals,
all in close collaboration with university and college teachers.
Besides these manuals, ACCO’s bookshops offer a wide assortment of required and recommended reading material, scientific literature,
computer supplies, stationery, novels, etc.
You can also buy a share in ACCO, a onetime
investment of € 31 from which you will profit
for the rest of your life. As a shareholder you are
entitled to a 25% discount on ACCO syllabuses,
15% on books edited by ACCO and office supplies. On top of this, members also benefit from
special promotional actions. As an ACCO shareholder, you also receive a discount when ordering various printing jobs from our digital printing
service (Rijweg 173, 3020 Herent).
Acco Leuven: Book and stationery shop
Maria-Theresiastraat 2-4 • B-3000 Leuven
Tel. 016 29 11 00 • Fax 016 20 73 89
www.acco.be
[email protected]
[email protected]
Open weekdays: 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
Saturday: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Acco Heverlee: Campus shop
Celestijnenlaan 200P • B-3001 Heverlee
Tel. 016 32 78 70 • Fax 016 32 78 71
campus shop: [email protected]
print shop: [email protected]
Open weekdays: 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
Acco Publisher: www.acco.be/uitgeverij
Acco Medical: e-bookshop for medical publications www.acco.be/medical
74
4.3.Day-to-day life
“International students do their international events, Belgian students do their
events. It’s hard to find integration. …
I would have wished some more activities
which are mixed.“ (student from Germany)
“I like the study and sport opportunities
here. The climate is warmer than I
expected. The people are kind and very
helpful. It’s easy to travel in the country
and student friendly. High rate of students
in Leuven makes it very desirable to study
here.“ (student from Hungary)
4.3.1. The Health Care System
There are three different levels of health care
service in Belgium: General practitioners (GPs),
specialists and specialists at a local or an academic hospital.
General Practitioners (GPs)
and Specialists
If you have a health related problem, it is best to
see a general practitioner first rather than going
to the hospital immediately. As a student, you
could first go to one of the GPs of the Medical
Centre for Students (see p. 56).
Other GP’s are listed on www.mediwacht.be
under “huisartsen”, look for your city in “zoek”.
A GP can solve most medical problems. If the
GP decides that you should consult a special-
ist, he/she will refer you to one who is best
qualified to deal with your problem. You can
usually reach a GP during office hours and in
emergencies even at night. If your regular GP is
unavailable when you call, you will be referred
to another GP. There are many advantages to
consulting a GP first, before seeing a specialist: GPs are easier to reach; there could be a
long waiting list to consult a specialist. A GP will
keep your medical history on file. This is important since information from previous medical
examinations may be relevant to your present
condition. It also means that the GP does not
need to repeat medical tests or examinations
you may already have had. This can save you
a lot of money, time and possible discomfort.
With certain medical conditions, it is not always
clear which specialist is best qualified. On your
own, you might have to try several specialists
before finding the right one, whereas a GP can
quickly diagnose your problem and refer you to
the proper specialist.
Hospital emergency services are expensive.
If your condition is not immediately life threatening, you can save a considerable amount of
money by consulting a GP instead. If you officially register with one GP - which is called
“Globaal Medisch Dossier” or GMD - the Belgian public health insurance rewards you with a
higher reimbursement. Ask your GP about this.
Most medical doctors speak English, French
and Dutch. When discussing your condition,
however, please try to make yourself clear,
and speak slowly and calmly. For consultation,
make an appointment or go to the doctor’s office when he/she is available for general consultation. If necessary, the GP will refer you to a
specialist in a private practice or a local hospital,
or to the KU Leuven University Hospital.
75
In Case of Emergency
Life threatening: dial 112 for an ambulance
Semi-urgent: call your own family doctor (working hours) or the after hours family doctor on
call (night, weekends and holidays:
Tel. 070 25 70 25).
Semi-urgent on weekends or holidays:
visit the GP on call at Dijlemolens
Zwartzusterstraat16/1 • B-3000 Leuven
(9 am – 9 pm),
Tel. 070 25 70 25 (24h).
Medical Bills and
Reimbursement
If you do not require hospitalisation, 75% of
your medical expenses will be reimbursed by
your health insurance company. If you have
OMNIO status, up to 90% will be reimbursed.
For example, for a consultation with a general
practitioner, you will be reimbursed € 19.32 of
the € 23.30 that you paid the doctor. In case of
hospitalisation, the hospital will charge you the
supplement (the charges not covered by the insurance policy). The main costs are paid directly
by the insurance company to the hospital.
Fees for convenient extras (e.g. a private room,
telephone costs) will never be reimbursed by
the insurance company. When buying drugs,
reductions amount to 80%. The pharmacist
only charges you the uninsured amount upon
presentation of your SIS card.
In cases of serious medical problems or hospitalisation which threaten your financial situation,
you may contact the Social Services for partial
or full reimbursement (address p. 54). This does
not apply to researchers or visiting professors.
76
Pharmacies
In Belgium, drugs and medicines are only sold
in pharmacies (to be recognized by the green
cross). In the yellow pages of the phone directory, pharmacies and drugstores are listed under the word “apotheken”. They are open every
day except Saturday afternoons, Sundays and
holidays. When closed, all pharmacies will post
in their window a list of afterhours pharmacies
(“wachtdienst”). This information is also published in the weekly newspaper Passe-Partout
(see the section entitled “Apothekers van
dienst in Leuven en omliggende”) or at www.
apotheek.be, enter your city.
Thermometers
In Belgium we use Celsius thermometers.
These are larger than the Fahrenheit ones, and
are usually placed in the armpit. Readings from
the armpit will be one degree lower than those
taken orally. Always tell the doctor which method you have used. The average temperature of
a healthy person is 37°C, fever starts at 38,5°C.
Vaccinations
Parents are required to vaccinate their babies
and young children at regular intervals.
In Belgium, this service is organised by “Kind
en Gezin” (see p. 61). Please contact them if
you have children below 3 years of age.
4.3.2. Student Restaurants
4.3.3. Shopping in Leuven
The university student restaurants, better
known as Alma, serve dishes priced between
€ 2.60 and € 5. Everyday Alma offers at least
one vegetarian meal, as well as a wide choice
of warm and cold dishes and a variety of sandwiches.
Most supermarkets and shops are open every
day except Sunday. Some will have a closing
weekday. There are a few supermarkets that
do open on Sunday. Bakeries are usually open
on Sundays and holidays. Many Night Shops
open after 6 pm until late at night. You can find
most of the shops in the neighbourhood of the
Bondgenotenlaan, Diestsestraat, Tiensestraat,
Naamsestraat and Brusselsestraat.
In addition to the student restaurants, there are
also cafes and restaurants that serve student
menus that range from € 5 to € 9. Pizzas, pastas
and salads are delicious and affordable in many
places. “Broodjes” (i.e. sandwiches), pitas and
Belgian fries are also very popular. Leuven has
a lot of cafes and pubs. The “Oude Markt” is a
famous area for a night out. You will pay about
€ 1.80 for a drink in a café - cola, water or beer.
The most inexpensive cafes, however, are
those run by the student councils, the so-called
“fakbars”, where you can expect to pay € 1 per
drink (see also p. 118).
Alma
www.alma.be
ALMA 1 Tiensestraat 115 B-3000 Leuven
ALMA 2 Van Evenstraat 2c B-3000 Leuven
ALMA 3 Studentenwijk Arenberg
Groenveldlaan 3 B-3001 Heverlee
Pauscollege Hogeschoolplein 3
B-3000 Leuven
Gasthuisberg Hospital
Onderwijs & Navorsing
Herestraat 49 B-3001 Heverlee
De Moete Celestijnenlaan 200 P
B-3001 Heverlee
De Spuye Tervuursevest 101
B-3001 Heverlee
Het Academisch Kwartier
Tiensestraat 41 B-3000 Leuven
Markets
• Wednesday afternoon from 3:00 pm
A. de Becker-Remyplein (Kessel-Lo)
• Friday-morning
Mgr. Ladeuzeplein (food and goods),
H. Hooverplein (food), Brusselsestraat (flowers)
• Saturday
Flee-market on M. de Layensplein and
Mechelsestraat
Vegetables, cheese, etc. on Brusselsestraat
• Sunday morning
At Heverlee station (food and goods)
(Naamsesteenweg, Waversebaan)
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Second hand shops
Collection and sale of
Second Hand Goods
Collection center:
• SPIT
IJzermolenstraat 10-12 (see p. 81)
(Free collection by appointment)
016 26 09 21
• Rawette (only clothing)
Parijsstraat 53A
IJzerenmolenstraat 4, 3001 Heverlee
mon-fri: 8.30 – 18.00 u
sat 8.30 –17.00 u
• Vintage ‘Hippo’
Parijsstraat 27
Store:
• Cyaankali (only clothing)
Diestsestraat 217
• Think Twice T2
Diestsestraat 157
• ‘t Pand (children’s clothing and needs)
Tiensestraat 260
• De Kapstok (cheap clothing)
Mechelsestraat 32
• Young Dolphins (children’s clothing and
needs)
Dirk Boutslaan 8 ∙ B-3000 Leuven
Veggie Bag
• Sustainable: healthy, fresh, local, fair, seasonal organic fruits and vegetables, everything is
packed in returnable packaging
• Local: few food-kilometres since the fruits
and vegetables are grown locally
• Fair: you only pay for the production costs
and the earnings of the producer, not the
middle-men
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IJzerenmolenstraat 10, 3001 Heverlee
Nieuwstraat 28, 3150 Wespelaar
mon-fri: 10.00 – 18.00 u
sat: 10.00 – 17.00 u
• Social economy: the surprise package is
produced and assembled by De Wikke, an
organic-farming project
4 choices:
• An individual student package of vegetables
and fruit € 6
• A package of fruit € 6
• A small package of vegetables € 6
• A large package of vegetables € 12
You order, pay for, and collect your veggie bag(s)
at the pick-up spot of your choice during the
times provided.
More information on
www.kuleuven.be/veggiebag.
4.3.4. Laundrettes, laundries
and dry cleaning in Leuven
• Strea Net, Tervuursesteenweg 187
• Liu, Windmolenveldstraat 64
• Pressing nr. 1, Louis Melsenstraat 4
• Happy Wassalon, Tessenstraat 208
• Atomic, Brusselsestraat 214 bus 7
• De Lelie, Maria Van Belstraat 7
• De Gouden Draad, Tiensestraat 204
• Quick Shop, Diestsestraat 224
• Tapolino, Slachthuislaan 1
• Wassalons het Poederke,
A. Vesaliusstraat 16
• De Washoek, Tervuursevest 12
• Kesselse wasserij Prima Press,
Platte Lostraat 278, 3010 Kessel-Lo
• Caro Cleaning
Diestsesteenweg 301, 3010 Kessel-Lo
• Nieuwkuis Katleen,
Tervuursesteenweg 185, 3001 Heverlee
• De Zeepbel, Geldenaaksevest 30
For prices and ‘how to use a washing machine’,
see brochure ‘Housekeeping tips’,
www.kuleuven.be/socialservices/pdf/housekeepingtips.
4.3.5. Environment
The educational and civic authorities are fully
committed to sustainable development and
the creation of an environmentally friendly city.
They encourage citizens and students to reduce
their garbage production, to sort their garbage
properly, to use energy in a responsible and
sustainable way and to adopt sustainable transportation.
Residential culture, mobility
and Environment advisers
(see also p. 53 Student Services)
Van Dalecollege
Tel. 016 32 93 01 and 02
Fax 016 32 44 07
[email protected]
The advisers provide information and raise
awareness about studying in a sustainable
manner. They have the know-how to help you
with waste prevention and selection, responsible energy and water use, and various kinds of
initiatives (e.g. “kot composting”, “veggie bag”,
etc. If this all sounds rather strange, do come by
and ask us what it’s all about). See also the brochure “Housekeeping Tips” on www.kuleuven.
be/english/living.
Waste Prevention, Selection and Reduction
In Leuven, garbage needs to be sorted. The
more you produce, the more expensive brown
bags you will need. You can reduce your garbage by buying products with less packaging,
by using glass instead of plastic bottles, etc. Be
aware that all garbage needs to be put in front
of the house or residence on collection mornings between 6:00 and 7:00 am according to
the special waste collection calendar provided
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by the City of Leuven. This overview explains
the different kinds of waste, and how they are
collected.
Paper and cardboard
Paper and cardboard includes all kinds of paper,
as long as it’s clean and has no plastic attached
to it. All paper needs to be tied up with string
or twine.
Glass
Glass should be taken to one of the big glass
containers located throughout the city. Light
bulbs or flat glass (for instance from a window)
are NOT allowed! Always rinse out glass bottles. Coloured glass usually goes in a separate
container from clear glass.
KGA (Small dangerous waste)
Most students have quite a lot of stuff that is
dangerous if it is dumped or burned since it
might pollute the air and soil. Used batteries
can be deposited in special boxes provided in
supermarkets. Expired or unused medication
has to be taken to the pharmacist but please
remove the paper from the box. There are also
collections of small dangerous waste such as
leftover cleaning products, used cooking oil,
cosmetics, writing materials, etc, by the Leuven
’chemobiel’. Dates and places are indicated on
the waste collection calendar in red.
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GFT (Kitchen and garden
waste - green bag)
Vegetables, fruit and garden waste belong
in the green bag. Coffee filters, teabags and
eggshells are also allowed. Please do not put
anything else in the green bag! In a number of
residences and houses little green buckets are
used instead of bags. The most environmentally
friendly way to get rid of your green waste is to
start composting.
PMD (Plastic, Metal and Drink
cartons - blue bag)
It is very important that you know what belongs
in the blue bag, since they will not be picked
up if they contain the wrong things. Always
allowed: washed “tetra packs”, plastic bottles,
metal cans, aluminium tins and trays (from lasagna for instance). Never allowed: butter tubs,
yoghurt cups, plastic bags, plastic objects, aluminium foil, badly rinsed tetra packs.
Everything else (brown bag)
All the household garbage not mentioned above
belongs in the brown bag. Large objects like furniture are collected six times a year. You have to
put a special sticker on it that can be purchased
at the “Stadskantoor” (see below). If the furniture is still functional, or if you want to get rid
of an electronic appliance, contact Spit (see
on this page). You can find all the information
on the free ‘waste collection calendar’, which
outlines the garbage pick-up schedule. The environment advisers also provide an English translation on www.kuleuven.be/studentservices/
advisors_residential/environment.html
Where to buy garbage bags
and stickers
City Office - Stadskantoor
(next to the Railway Station)
Open: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and
Thursday from 12:00 pm until 8:00 pm
You can also find garbage bags in most supermarkets, except in Aldi.
You can find the complete list on
www.leuven.be/leven/huisvuil-milieu/
afval/verkoop-huisvuilzakken-en-stickers/
#paragraph1
Responsible energy use
We encourage everyone to consume energy
and water in a sustainable way.
What can you do?
• Turn off the lights when you are the last person to leave a room.
• Turn off the screen of your computer if you
are not working on it for more then ten minutes.
• Put a lid on your pot or pan (60 to 70% less
energy used), and turn off the heat a bit before you finish cooking.
• The ideal temperature for your refrigerator is
6°C; try to avoid a layer of ice in the freezer.
• Do not wash your dishes under running water.
• Report leaking taps to the landlord.
• Copy and print on both sides of your printing
paper.
Realising that you can reduce consumption
without reducing comfort is already a good
start. Do you have suggestions or ideas for
energy-saving measures in your room, your student house (kot) or residence?
Contact: [email protected]
SPIT (second-hand shop)
Spit is a centre that recycles household items.
You can bring them your old furniture, electric
appliances, bicycles, clothes, etc. All items
should be in a condition that allows them to be
re-used. You can also ask Spit to pick up second
hand stuff at your house (for free). Furniture,
sofa’s, fridges... if they are still useful and you
want to get rid of them, call 016 26 09 21.
After repairs are carried out, these items are
sold in Spit’s shop.
IJzermolenstraat 10-12 • B-3001 Heverlee
Tel. 016 65 29 57
[email protected] • www.spit.be
Open Monday to Friday from 10:00 am
until 6:00 pm ; Saturday from 10:00 am
until 5:00 pm
Collection Centre where you can take
your used household items:
IJzerenmolenstraat 4 • B-3001 Heverlee
Tel. 016 26 09 21
Open: Monday to Saturday from 8:30 am
until 5:00 pm
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4.3.6. Transportation
In recent years, the city authorities have been
trying to encourage bicycles and public transport and reduce automobile traffic. The mobility
advisors can provide you with all the information you need about travelling by bicycle, public
transport and the best way of getting from A
to B. The Housing Service has handy bike and
bus maps of Leuven. If you have complaints,
suggestions or questions concerning the use of
bicycles, don’t hesitate to let them know.
www.kuleuven.be/transportation
Bicycles
Cycling is healthy, inexpensive and cool. Furthermore, in a city like Leuven it is the quickest
way to get from one place to another. Cyclists
are very welcome in Leuven, but need to know
the traffic rules. Consult: www.kuleuven.be/
transportation/ pdf/guideforcycling.pdf.
Make sure that your bike is in good working
order and that you are visible in traffic.
See also p. 122, Global Action Plan Cyclists
VELO (vzw)
VELO is a non-profit organisation that promotes
the bicycle as an ecological means of transportation in the city by recycling, renting and
repairing bikes. VELO offers a bike rental and
repair service for students and is organised as
a training and employment project in the social
economy.
Veilingsite • Hollestraat 1 • B-3001 Heverlee
Tel. 016 29 87 40
[email protected] • www.velo.be
Open: Weekdays from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm,
Friday: from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Repair service next to the Railway station
in the bike parking area (“Fietspunt Leuven”,
Prof. Van Overstraetenplein 1)
Weekdays from 7:00 am until 7:00 pm and
from Easter until 15 October also on Saturdays from 8.30 am until 5:00 pm
Bicycle Rental and Repair
You can rent a safe, fully equipped and registered second-hand bike with a solid lock at
VELO. A rental contract will be drawn up (please
bring your passport, student card and bank account number) and you need to pay the rental
price plus a deposit. Students can also come by
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to repair their own bikes at the bike repair shop
or have their bikes repaired for a small price. At
VELO you can also report bike theft and have
your bike registered (engraving + bike ID).
GROUP T – University College Leuven and
KHLeuven provide safe, fully equipped and engraved second-hand bicycles at no cost to their
students. You only have to pay a deposit of € 50
which is refunded when you return the bicycle.
Bicycle school
You don’t know how to ride a bike, you feel
insecure riding a bike in the city centre or you
want to refresh the traffic rules as a cyclist? The
Leuven Bicycle school is here to help you! The
whole lesson package -from learning to bike
up to refreshing traffic rules and repairing your
bike- costs only €15. If you only follow one out
of 4 modules you pay € 5.
The Leuven Bicycle school is an initiative of
the Leuven Integration service and Mobiel 21.
Tel. 016 31 77 01
[email protected]
Some Bicycle Shops:
• Dokter Velo, Tervuursevest 17, 3001 Heverlee
• A-Bikes, Gemeentestraat 37, 3010 Kessel-Lo
• Rijwielen Cadans, Naamsestraat 123
• Rijwielen Hugo Jacobs, Diestsestraat 192
• Fietsen Koen, Martelarenlaan 201,
3010 Kessel-Lo
• Fietsen Niclaes, Naamsesteenweg 76,
3001 Heverlee
• Cycle Point, Tiensesteenweg 58,
3001 Heverlee
Busses
Using the student bus pass
Students can take advantage of the student bus
pass, a project financed by the city and the Institutions of Higher Education of Leuven. This
pass enables you to use the regular bus lines (of
the company called De Lijn) within the Leuven
area (including Kessel-lo, Wijgmaal, Heverlee)
and even in parts of Herent, Linden, Korbeek-Lo
and Attenhoven) for free. When leaving the free
area, you have to pay for the extra zones. Make
sure that you have your student card on you at
all times because you need to be able to prove
that you are the rightful owner of the pass. In order to prevent abuse, place your first name and
last name (exactly as mentioned on your official
student card) on your student pass.
De Lijn
Martelarenplein 19b • B-3000 Leuven
Tel. 070 22 02 00 (general information)
Tel. 016 31 37 11 (province of FlemishBrabant)
Info Pass:
Tel. 016 31 37 20 • Fax 016 31 37 25
Info Groups: Tel. 016 31 37 17
[email protected] • www.delijn.be
Travelling through Europe with
Eurolines
Eurolines has direct and inexpensive bus connections from Leuven to 500 destinations in
Europe.
Tel. 02 274 13 50
www.eurolines.be • [email protected]
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Trains
Leuven is an important hub in the Belgian railway network. From Leuven station, there are
connections to every other major Belgian train
station. You can find the best connection and
itinerary using the b-rail online search engine.
Leuven Railway Station
Martelarenplein 16 • B-3000 Leuven
Info for travellers: 016 21 21 21
International Information & Eurostar, Thalys,
HST: 02 528.28.28
Lost and Found: 016 21 24 10
Fax 016 21 24 11
www.b-rail.be (you can also buy tickets online)
Examples: Brussels Central (30 min); Brussels
Airport (15 min); Gent (60 min); Bruges (90 min),
Antwerp (50 min).
Heverlee Station
Naamsesteenweg 180 • B-3001 Heverlee.
There is no office in this railway station. Alarm
the train conductor if you enter the train without
a valid ticket. He can sell you one on board.
GoPass and RailPass
With a Go Pass (-26 years old), you can take
10 one-way trips in second class (price, March
’12: € 50). You will get the best value for money
if you travel between two stations that are far
apart (e.g. Antwerp, Bruges, Ghent, …). If you
hold a RailPass (+ 26 years), you can take 10
one-way trips in second class (price, March ‘12:
€ 76).
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Practical Tip
On Fridays after 7:00 pm and on weekends, ask
for a “Weekend Ticket”. When you travel alone,
you get a discount up to 40%. When travelling
with friends, the first passenger gets a 50%
discount. The 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th passengers get a 70% discount, provided that all
members of the group travel together.
Taxis
Starting fee: € 2,40
Price per kilometre: € 2,50
At night, there mostly is a small extra fee.
Parking
Too few parking space or too many cars? One
thing is clear: it is not easy to find a parking
space in Leuven. No new parking spaces are
being created. Moreover, parking fines are very
high and in order to use the existing parking
spaces in the best possible way, the city has
introduced time limits by means of parking machines and blue-zone rules.
Exceptions are only made for inhabitants of the
neighbourhood and disabled persons. You can
save a lot of money by using your bicycle, going
on foot or taking the bus.
For further information about the above issues, you’re welcome to contact the mobility
advisors at [email protected] or
tel. 016 32 93 01 and 016 32 93 02.
4.3.7. Communications
Postal Services
National Mail
Your mail may be placed in any letterbox in Belgium or posted at a post office counter and may
be open or sealed.
Postage standardised letter: € 0.75 per piece
(booklet of 10 stamps: €0,65 per piece);
for Europe: € 1,09 per piece, booklet of 5
stamps: € 0,99 per piece),
outside Europe: € 1.29 (booklet of 5 stamps:€
1.19 per piece)
International Mail
The items may be open or sealed and weigh a
maximum of 2 kg.
Post Office Addresses in Leuven
www.bpost.be (Dutch, French, German)
• Leuven Centrum
Jan Stasstraat 12 • B-3000 Leuven,
Tel. 022 01 23 45 • Fax 016 50 95 70
Open Weekdays from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm
Thursdays until 7:00 pm
Saturday 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
• Kessel-lo Blauwput
Diestsesteenweg 379
3010 Kessel-lo
Tel. 022 01 23 45
Open Weekdays from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm
and from 1:30 pm to 5:00 pm
Saturday from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm
Postpunten
(stamps, letterbox, packages, ...)
• Dagbladhandel De Bond,
Bondgenotenlaan 150, B-3000 Leuven
• Carrefour Market Heverlee
Tervuursevest 113, B-3001 Heverlee
• Carrefour Market Kessel-Lo
Koning Albertlaan 147, B-3010 Kessel-Lo
• AD Delhaize Heverlee
Tervuursevest 154 ,B-3001 Heverlee
Tel. 016 20 05 17
• SPAR Sint-Jacob
Brusselsestraat 124
Shipping of Goods
For up-to-date information regarding the shipping of goods and a list of specialist transport
and removal companies see the yellow pages
online at www.goudengids.be
• Heverlee Ambassade
Naamsesteenweg 380 • B-3001 Heverlee,
Tel. 016 39 36 80
Open Weekdays from 9:00 am to 12:30
pm and from 1:30 pm to 5:00 pm
85
Telephone Services
General Information
Country Number for Belgium 32
Area Code Leuven (0)16
International call, skip (0) (0032 16 …);
when calling within Belgium, always dial the full
area code, 016.
Other exemples of area codes:
Brussels 02 • Antwerp 03 • Ghent 09
Bruges 050 • Liège 043
Louvain-la- Neuve 010 • Mons 065.
Useful Numbers
General Information 1207
International Information 1204
Fixed Lines
There are two main providers of fixed telephone
lines in Belgium:
- Belgacom (www.belgacom.be)
- Telenet (www.telenet.be)
Belgacom operates a special toll-free number
for expatriate services (0800-32005) if you call
from Belgium, and +32 2 819 80 04 if you call
from abroad. To get a fixed line, phone this
toll-free number or visit one of the Belgacom
Teleboutiques or go to a recognised Belgacom
dealer. Belgacom has a toll-free customer service line for general information: 0800-22800.
You can order new lines or sell you Belgacom
equipment. Belgacom Teleboutiques also sell or
rent a full range of Belgacom telephones, fax
machines, answering machines, pagers and
mobile telephones.
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Telenet provides broadband telephone, internet
and multimedia services via cable.For further
information about Telenet and its services call
0800 66046, free of charge, or consult their
website.
Mobile Telephones (Cell phones)
Newcomers from most European countries can
continue to use their mobile telephones in Belgium if their contract includes a roaming feature,
although this will be rather costly in the long
term. However, newcomers from the United
States are generally unable to use their American cell-phones in Europe. For them, connection to the Belgian telephone and mobile networks remains the most costeffective solution.
Mobile telephones or cellphones are widely
available in specialised shops and large retail
outlets. Many specialised dealers are also official agents for one of the three major Belgian
mobile operators: Proximus, Mobistar and Base
(main shops in Diestsestraat and Bondgenotenlaan). These operators are authorised to open
an account for you and have various payment
formulas, including pre-paid cards and subscriptions. Please don’t sign any contract without
fully understanding its terms and implications!
www.proximus.be
www.mobistar.be
www.base.be
www.bpost.be/site/
Calling Cards
Calling cards have two main advantages over
regular lines: since the card is pre-paid there is
no bill at the end of the month; and calls can
be made from any telephone (public, private,
mobile, etc.). Calling cards for international calls
are available at newsagents, post offices, supermarkets, train stations and night shops. Always
ask which card is the most suitable for the call
and the country you want to call. Set-up fee
€ 0,15 per call.
Publications
KU Leuven
University publications for the international
community
• English-language website
KU Leuven’s English-language website is an
invaluable source of information for all international guests: www.kuleuven.be/english.
It includes full details not only on application
procedures and academic programmes, but
also on ‘Living in Leuven’: student services,
cultural events, sports facilities, worship possibilities, and everything else you need to
know to make life easier in Leuven (www.
kuleuven.be/english/living.html).
The website’s homepage features a newsflash, highlighting the most important current
events, news, deadlines and a calendar.
• The Voice
www.thevoiceleuven.be (see p. 111)
The Voice is an English-language international
student newspaper by and for the international student community in Leuven.
• E-newsmail ‘KU Leuven News and Agenda’
KU Leuven publishes a weekly electronic
newsmail (www.kuleuven.be/english/news/)
aimed at its international guests to inform
them the best possible. The newsmail presents a mixture of official and research news,
practical information, culture, sports, trips
and visits, science and research news,.. Students can use the newsmail to announce parties and other events.
All international students and staff are notified by email (KU Leuven email address)
whenever a new edition of the newsletter
appears. This notification and all other official
university announcements are sent to your
KU Leuven email address (yourfirstname.
[email protected]),
so make sure you check this address regularly.
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Computer, Internet and
email Facilities
KU Leuven
ICTS (KU Leuven’s central IT office)
looks after the university’s computer infrastructure and provides support for the use of computer and network services in the university’s
education, research and administration. ICTS
also operates a PC rental service. Consult the
website for the rental prices of desktop PCs
and laptops or other promotions.
ICTS
http://icts.kuleuven.be
W. de Croylaan 52a • B-3001 Heverlee,
Tel. +32 (0)16 32 28 00 (ICTS Service Desk)
Open: Weekdays from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
• User ID and Password
All KU Leuven students receive an intranet
userid when they enrol. This userid begins
with an ‘r’ and can be found on the back of
your student card. You will receive an activation code with your user ID. In order to use
your email account, Toledo (e-learning environment), KotNet or other services, you will
need to activate your account. Surf to the
registration page (http://activate.kuleuven.
be), logon with your user ID and activation
code and set a password on your account
asap. Never share your password! You are
held responsible for all activities associated
with your account.
• Email
At registration, all KU Leuven students are
automatically assigned an email address with
the following format: firstname. lastname@
student.kuleuven.be. All official correspondence from the university will be emailed to
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this address, for example communication
concerning courses, the e-newsletter, etc.
Read your KU Leuven email from within your
browser at http://owa.student.kuleuven.be/.
PC Rooms
Open access PC rooms are available.
Dekenstraat 2 • B-3000 Leuven
(weekdays: 8:00 am to 11.45 pm
Saturday: 8.00 am to 5.45 pm)
Celestijnenlaan 6 • B-3001 Heverlee
(weekdays from 8:30 am to 10:00 pm
Saturday: 9:00 am to 1:00 pm)
Celestijnenlaan 200c • B-3001 Heverlee
(open weekdays from 8:00 am to 7:45 pm)
• Toledo
Toledo stands for TOetsen en LEren Doeltreffend Ondersteunen (Effective Support for
Learning and Assessment). Toledo is the
central web-based e-learning environment.
The KU Leuven Toledo website is located at:
www.toledo.kuleuven.be/english
• Internet Cable Access at Home: “KotNet”
All you need is a computer with a network
card, a cable and your KU Leuven user ID
and password.
More info on installation, configuration, etc. can
be found at: www.kuleuven.be/kotnet.
Do not forget to protect your computer when
accessing the internet. ICTS provides antivirus
software for free for its students under a campus license. KU Leuven residence halls all have
a broadband internet connection.
Most private student housing in Leuven, Heverlee and Kessel-Lo is connected to KotNet (your
landlord will have taken care of this and will
charge you a fee for this service).
KHLeuven
All departments offer their students free wifi access and access to their computer facilities and
a personal KHLeuven email address by means
of their student account. All KHLeuven students and staff can substribe to a fast connection to the internet through the cable network
of UPC: “Kotnet” at an annual charge of € 25.
All you need is your KHLeuven user ID and
password, a computer with a network card, a
cable modem and a subscription with the cable
company, which is often included In the room
rent (contact your “kotbaas”).
More information on installation, configuration,... can be found at: http://ludit.kuleuven.be/
internet/index_en.html
GROUP T students can use the computer rooms
at Vesalius Campus and Comenius Campus.
Workstations are available and students have
full access to all domains. You are automatically
allocated your own electronic address for email
and sufficient space for your own website. Both
campuses are hot spots where you can surf
wireless on the Internet.
GROUP T also has an English-language and a
Chinese language website with interesting information for international students and guests:
www.groupt.be
LEMMENSINSTITUUT
& Kunst)
In the Lemmensinstituut the students can use
the computer room (foyer) and they have free
access to the internet. In the cafeteria and in
the library you can surf wireless on the internet.
All the students get a personal Lemmens email
address. Students also can subscribe for KotNet in order to obtain internet in their studentroom at an annual charge of € 25.
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Radio
4.3.8. Sports
Radio Scorpio
The local Radio Scorpio 106 FM broadcasts an
eclectic programme mix and provides in-depth
news coverage and community information.
Radio Scorpio is the real thing: Leuven independent student radio since 1979. Check out
the website!
Radio Scorpio 106 FM
Tel. 016 32 03 36
[email protected]
www.radioscorpio.be
Other Belgian Radio Channels
(see www.belgie.fm)
Radio 1
Studio Brussel QMusic
MNM
Joe FM
Radio 2 (provincial) Klara (classical)
Nostalgie
98.5 fm (Leuven)
88 fm
103.1 fm, 95.8 fm
94.8 fm(Leuven)
99.7 fm
88.7 fm
89.5 fm
103,8 fm
For French speaking channels look at www.rtbf.be
KU Leuven Sports Centre
Universitair Sportcentrum
Upon registration at KU Leuven, you can apply
to have your student card activated for sports
facilities for an annual fee of € 20 (free for Exchange students).
The University Sports Centre offers a range of
60 sports. In addition, the Sports Centre features a state-of-the-art fitness room for which
you pay a supplementary fee. To book a tennis
or beach volleyball court, soccer field or any
other facility, call or drop by the sports secretariat. If you and your team mates have a sports
card, everything is free. The only thing you pay
extra for is indoor tennis. The Sports Centre organises the following events yearly: Bike&Run,
Indoor Athletics Meeting, table tennis tournament, the Flemish University Competition, the
Belgian University Competition, Sports Camps
for kids,…
If you love to do sports in a more ‘studentlike’
atmosphere (such as interfaculty competitions,
running in the famous Leuven 24-hour run,
walking or running the 21 kilometers), you will
certainly find what you want at LOKO Sport, an
organisation for and by students (see p. 111)!
Tervuursevest 101 • B-3001 Heverlee
Tel. 016 32 91 30 • Fax 016 32 91 95
[email protected]
www.kuleuven.be/sports
Open: Weekdays from 9:00 am until 12.00
noon and from 1:00 until 6:00 pm (5:30 during the summer months)
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KHLeuven
The state-of-the-art KHLeuven sports facility
(Campus Hertogstraat in Heverlee) is equipped
for basketball, volleyball, tennis, gymnastics,
dance and badminton. There is also a fitness
room and a climbing wall.
As a KHLeuven student, you need to have a
sports card to use the facilities. The card costs
€ 20 per academic year.
KHLeuven Sporthal
016 375 780 • www.khleuven.be/sport
Coordinator of sports:
Jean-Baptist Bultynck
[email protected]
GROUP T and Lemmensinstituut students can
use the KU Leuven Sports Centre on the same
conditions as the KU Leuven students.
KHLeuven Sporthal
016 375 780 • www.khleuven.be/sport
Coordinator of sports:
Jean-Baptist Bultinck
[email protected]
LEMMENSINSTITUUT
(Hogeschool voor
Wetenschap & Kunst)
GROUP T and LEMMENSINSTITUUT students
can use the KU Leuven Sports Centre on the
same conditions as the KU Leuven students.
City of Leuven
Sportdienst
Tofsportloket:
Naamsestraat 1 (next to Toerisme Leuven)
3000 Leuven
Tel. 016 27 22 20
Open: Weekdays 10:00 am until 5:00 pm
and Thursdays until 8:00 pm
City’s Sports Facilities
Swimming Pools
• Stadionlaan 4 • B-3010 Kessel-Lo
016 25 34 80
• Aarschotsesteenweg 730
B-3012 Wilsele-Putkapel
016 44 33 88
• Sportoase
Philipssite 6 • B-3001 Heverlee
016 74 07 40 • www.sportoase.be
Indoor and Outdoor Sports Facilities
For an updated list of all indoor and outdoor sport
facilities, see: www.leuven.be/vrije-tijd/sport/
For information concerning fees & prices contact the staff in charge of the facility or call the
sports office: 016 27 24 50.
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Sport Clubs in Leuven
The Sports Office has a comprehensive list of
sport clubs in the Leuven area. This list is constantly updated, see: www.leuven.be/vrije-tijd/
sport/sportclubs. Content comes from information collected by the staff of the Sports Office.
It is available in every municipal sports facility.
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4.3.9. Culture
KU Leuven
• discounts for all performances of the 7 University Ensembles, Campus Theatre and the
student association theatre companies during the Interfaculty Theatre Festival.
Culture Office
Leuven boasts a vast, multifaceted range of
cultural activities. The KU Leuven Culture Office
team is happy to navigate you through the selection.
Culture Card
The first thing students who want to immerse
themselves in culture need is a KU Leuven Culture Card. As a student of KU Leuven, KHLeuven, Lemmensinstituut and Group T you may
purchase the culture card during your enrolment. It only costs € 15 and is valid for an entire academic year. www.kuleuven.be/culture/
culturecard
The culture card provides numerous
advantages, which increase every year:
• UUR KULtUUR – the university’s cultural programme – for free. You can take in a selection
of comedy shorts, a jazz concert, an exhibition or a dance performance, etc.
• exclusive access to the 30CC Cultural Centre’s Last Minute Deals: every Wednesday afternoon, all remaining tickets for the coming
week are sold at a 50% discount.
• culturecard holders are also spoiled with special, one-time-only cultural treats throughout
the academic year. For example, you can
regularly take part in competitions to win tickets to various productions. You will be kept
informed of all this, and much more besides,
through a monthly e-newsletter for culture
card holders.
Faculty STARs
Would you like to be the artistic face of your
faculty this academic year?
Check out all the info and the registration form
on www.facultystars.be.
As a KU Leuven student, you can also participate in the university’s ensembles, choirs and
theatre companies (see below). Please bear in
mind that it isn’t always possible to become a
member of an ensemble during the year.
KU Leuven Culture Office
(Dienst Cultuur KU Leuven)
Tel. 016 32 03 40
[email protected]
www.kuleuven.be/culture
• significant discounts at the various large cultural centres in Leuven: STUK Arts Centre
for contemporary theatre, dance, music and
visual arts (substantial discounts and even
free entrance to some unique events), Cinema ZED, (cinema), Het Depot (pop and rock
concerts), Museum M. e.o.
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University Music Ensembles
Arenberg Orchestra
Arenbergorkest
Rehearsals: Thursday at 8 pm at STUK,
Naamsestraat 96, B-3000 Leuven
Info: [email protected]
www.kuleuven.be/cultuur/arenberg
This symphony orchestra, which has approximately 70 members, greatly enjoys working on
its varied and surprising programme. Everyone
is welcome!
Interfak Big Band (IBB)
Rehearsals: Monday at 7:30 pm at STUK,
www.kuleuven.be/cultuur/ibb
Conducted by Bart Preneel, the band comprises
about 30 musicians (students, staff and alumni)
who are all wild about jazz, blues, bebop, fusion, etc.
The group has a busy concert schedule and
regularly travels abroad as well.
Leuven University Choir (LUK)
Leuvens Universitair Koor
Rehearsals: Thursday at 7:45 pm,
in the Paridaensinstituut, Janseniusstraat 2
Bankstraat 75 • B-3000 Leuven
www.kuleuven.be/cultuur/luk
The Leuven University Choir is a dynamic student choir with about 80 singers.
Throughout its forty-year existence, the choir
has carved a singular niche for itself in the
Flemish choral scene. Concerts are performed
at Christmas and in the spring.
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University Concert Band (UHO)
Universitair Harmonieorkest
Rehearsals: Tuesday at 8:00 pm at STUK,
www.kuleuven.be/cultuur/uho
With about ninety members, the UHO is KU
Leuven’s largest cultural ambassador. The orchestra provides excellent quality with a daring
twist. Its yearly concerts are always an enormous spectacle during which other art forms
complement the music or famous soloists are
invited to perform.
University Symphony Orchestra (USO)
Universitair Symfonisch Orkest
Rehearsals: Wednesday at 7:45 pm at
STUK, Naamsestraat 96 • B-3000 Leuven
www.kuleuven.be/cultuur/uso
The University Symphony Orchestra offers students a unique opportunity to perform great
symphonic compositions.
The orchestra is conducted with much passion
and professionalism by the famous conductor
Edmond Saveniers. For the past 47 years, the
repertoire has combined monumental pieces
with fresh, original ideas.
University theatre companies
Janus International Theatre Group
Janus International Theatre is an amateur theatre Group that was founded by international
students and supported by Pangaea, the international meeting centre of KU Leuven. Over the
years, it has tried to build up a reputation for
bringing improvised theatre in English to the
stage. It has written its own, original plays for
the last three seasons.
Pangaea • Tel. 016 32 33 96
[email protected]
Campus Theatre
Campustoneel
[email protected]
www.campustoneel.be
Theatre with and for KU Leuven students, staff
and alumni.
Interfaculty Theatre Festival
InterFacultair Theater Festival
The Interfaculty Theatre Festival brings together
Leuven’s student association theatre companies. www.iftf.be
University carillon
www.kuleuven.be/culture/carillon
Weekly carillon concerts
The tower of the KU Leuven Central Library on
the Ladeuzeplein houses one of Europe’s largest and best carillons. During the academic
year until mid-May, the carillon is played twice
weekly, on Tuesdays and Thursdays from
7:00 pm until 7:45 pm.
Unique: tower visits
Interested in accompanying the carillonneur
up the tower with your student association,
friends, or family (max. 25)? It’s free, but you’ll
have to register at http://forms.kuleuven.be/
a0025/
LOKO culture
See p. 110
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KHLeuven
As a KHLeuven student, you have the opportunity to buy a Culture Card offering numerous
advantages for cultural events. Also check our
facebook page for cultural and other upcoming
events www.facebook.com/KHLeuvenInternational
Campus Vesalius
Tel: 016 30 10 30
Cultural coordinator: Jan Jaspers
[email protected]
www.group-t.com
Regularly, GROUP T organises an event that
explores one of the cultures that inspire us.
These events are open to anyone interested.
In the past, they have included workshops on
Thai cooking, cumbia, dancing, English absurd
theatre, tasting French wine, Chinese taijiquan
and traditional Flemish games as well as demonstrations of Scottish bagpiping, Bollywood
love songs, French magic and Italian archaeology. These events are organised together with
the Confucius Institute at GROUP T.
Please consult our website for details:
www.group-t.com.
GROUP T - students are offered a free STUKcard and a free Cultural Youth Passport which allow for a discount on various cultural activities.
Lemmensinstituut (Hogeschool
voor Wetenschap & Kunst)
The Concertvereniging Lemmensinstituut has
weekly concerts freely accessible to anyone of
the interested students of Lemmensinstituut.
Other students are welcome at a special student price.
See www.lemmens.be (go to “Concerten en
vorming”). Free entrance also to al the masterclasses (piano, singing, guitar, flute, strings,
trumpet…) organised on 13, 14 and 15 February
2013).
City of Leuven
Leuven Cultural Centre 30CC
Rijschoolstraat 4 bus 004 • 3000 Leuven
Tel. 016 23 84 27 • Fax 016 29 12 15
[email protected] • www.30CC.be
Tickets: 30CC/Ticketoffice, Tweebronnen,
Diestsestraat 49, 3000 Leuven
- Monday and Wednesday from 12:00 until
6:00 pm
- Tuesday and Friday from 10:00 am until
6:00 pm
- Thursday from 12:00 until 8:00 pm
- Saturday from 10:00 am until 5:00 pm
Booking by phone: Tel. 016 300 900
- Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from
12:00 until 6:00 pm
- Tuesday and Friday from 10:00 am until
6:00 pm
Online tickets: www.30CC.be - 7 days a
week, 24h/24
30CC, the cultural centre of Leuven, is one of
the leading cultural organisations in the region.
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They offer a fascinating mix of theatre, dance,
classical and non-classical music, family productions and much more. There is always something interesting going on.
30CC also offers huge discounts for anyone
younger than 26. With your KU Leuven Culture
Card or European Youth Card you are exclusively
entitled to their Last Minute Deals. All remaining tickets for the upcoming week at 50% off!
So do not hesitate to drop by! And don’t forget
your free brochure!
STUK
Tel. 016 32 03 20 (information & tickets)
[email protected] • www.stuk.be
STUK is an important venue in Leuven and one
of the most important arts centres in Flanders.
Its programme features theatre, dance, films,
music, fine arts and new media. In addition to
the big names, you can also find the work of innovative newcomers. In general, prices are very
affordable. The opening week, at the beginning
of the cultural season, is a unique opportunity
to get to know STUK. You can find all the nec-
essary information on www.stuk.be where you
can also buy tickets online.
STUK also has an elegant ‘grand café’ where
you can drink or eat something, read a newspaper or a book or surf the internet for free.
On Friday evenings you can listen to a DJ and
every Sunday evening you can enjoy a free jazz
concert (‘Jazz on Sunday’). Cinema Zed (see further on this page) is incorporated into STUK and
offers a wide range of films.
Art in my room / Kunst op Kot
An initiative of Kunst In Huis
Bibliotheekcomplex Tweebronnen
Rijschoolstraat4/003 • B-3000 Leuven
T. 016 22 45 60 • [email protected]
www.kunstopkot.be
Wednesday from 1:00 pm until 8:00 pm
Saturday from 9:00 am until 2:00 pm
Kunst In Huis (Art at Home) would like to introduce contemporary art to students. If you want
to cheer up your student room in an artistically
justified way, you can now hire a real piece of
art. It will only cost you € 9 a month (+ € 25
guarantee). Interested? Contact us!
Movie Theatres in Leuven
Kinepolis Leuven
Bondgenotenlaan 145-149 • B-3000 Leuven
Tel. 016 31 96 00 • www.kinepolis.com
Cinema Zed
Tel. 016 32 03 20
Monday to Friday from 11:00 am until 10:30
pm; Saturday and Sunday from 7:30 pm until
10:30 pm
[email protected] • www.stuk.be
(online-tickets) www.cinemazed.be
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Cinema Zed is a not-for-profit movie theatre
screening primarily films from the alternative
circuit. Indeed, we regularly run films with English sub-titles and ZED also shows a considerable number of European films in languages
other than English or Dutch.
Film screening hours: 5:00, 8:00 and 10:30 pm
(and 3:00 pm, only on Sundays).
Municipal Museums
M - Museum Leuven
M, the new Museum Leuven, is home to a historical collection centred on late-gothic works of
art and work of the 19th century. In addition,
M hosts temporary exhibits featuring the creations of contemporary artists as well as classic
works. Extensive exhibits by Belgian and international visual artists are combined with more
experimental projects set up by talented young
people. It has a varied agenda involving paintings, sculptures, photography, film and video,
design and architecture. This means each visit
to M is an unique experience, not only because
of its mixture of new and old art, but also because it is a real exciting meeting place – with
concerts in the courtyard in summer as well!
M - Museum Leuven
Leopold Vanderkelenstraat 28
3000 Leuven
Tel. 016 27 29 29 (Monday to Friday from
9:00 am to 6:00 pm, Saturday and Sunday
from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm)
[email protected] • www.mleuven.be
Open: Monday to Sunday from 11:00 am until 6:00 pm
Thursday from 11:00 am until 10:00 pm.
Closed on Wednesdays
Box office closes 1/2 hour before closing
time.
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Closed November 1, December 24, 25, 31
and January 1, 2
M/Treasury of Saint Peter
The Treasury of Saint Peter is situated in the
choir of Saint Peter’s Church at the Great Market. Saint Peter’s Church is known as one of
the most beautiful examples of the 15th century Brabant gothic period. The impressive choir
space became a museum in 1998. Here you can
find many sculptures, paintings and religious silverwork. The masterpiece is ‘The Last Supper’
by Flemish primitive Dirk Bouts.
M/Treasury of Saint Peter
Grote Markt • B-3000 Leuven
[email protected] • www.mleuven.be
Open: Tuesday to Friday from 10:00 am until
5:00 pm
Sundays and public holidays from 2:00 until
5:00 pm, Mondays open from mid-March
2012 to mid-October 2012 from 10:00 am
until 5:00 pm
Closed December 24, 25, 26, 31 and
January 1, 2
Municipal Academies
Municipal academy of fine arts
SLAC - Academie Beeldende Kunst
The academy offers a whole range of possibilities designed to exercise your creativity. At
the academy of fine arts you can study general
visual arts education, drawing and painting,
photography (also digital), advertising and sculpture, digital art, graphics, ceramics and textile
arts or lace-making. Several times a year exhibitions are organised in the academy and also
‘outdoors’. A must!
Municipal conservatory for music,
drama & dance
SLAC - Conservatorium Muziek,
Woord & Dans
For music, dance and drama, the music conservatory caters to all your needs. If you are
musically talented, if you want to learn to play
an instrument, learn acting, or take dance lessons, please feel free to apply! Own creations
and productions are regularly brought on stage.
More info on www.artrium.be
SLAC
Dirk Boutslaan 60 • B-3000 Leuven
Municipal academy of fine arts
Tel. 016 22 08 70 • Fax 016 31 62 19
www.slac.be/academie
Municipal conservatory for music,
drama & dance
Tel. 016 22 21 21 • Fax 016 31 08 28
www.slac.be/conservatorium
4.3.10. Religion and Worship
KU Leuven
In keeping with centuries of tradition, KU Leuven welcomes students and scholars of various
cultural, philosophical, political and religious
convictions.
Roman – Catholic
University Parish KU Leuven
Tiensestraat 124 • B-3000 Leuven
Tel. 016 32 55 85 • www.kuleuven.be/up
[email protected]
Responsable: Johan Vanpée
The university parish is open to both international and Flemish students, regardless of their
cultural, religious or political backgrounds.
Everyone is welcome for moral support, spiritual counselling, Christian education, prayer
or serious reflection. The university parish also
runs nine community houses where international and Flemish students live together. More
information about the initiatives of the parish
and the Roman-Catholic services:
Church of St John the Baptist
St.-Jan-de-DoperKerk
Groot Begijnhof - Masses in Dutch:
Sundays at 11:00 am
Saturday evenings at 6:15 pm
Taizé prayers in Leuven
A community organises prayer in the spirit of
Taizé every month in Leuven. This is a meditative way of singing and praying with songs in
many languages. The Taizé prayer is always prepared by students. They pray together in the
Chapel of the Leo XIII seminary in Tiensestraat
124/Vesaliusstraat on Mondays.
99
The prayer starts at 8 pm (English spoken).
www.kuleuven.be/up/international/taize.html
University Parish – International Community
The university parish has an English-speaking
international community whose goal it is to
welcome people from anywhere in the world
to form a Christian community. They foster an
open atmosphere where people from different backgrounds, cultures and countries, and
various walks of life, can meet and experience
Christian community in the Catholic tradition.
Every Sunday of the year, at 10:30 am, the community celebrates the Eucharist. The liturgy is
followed by a reception where people have the
opportunity to meet informally. The community
publishes a weekly bulletin entitled “Bridges”.
It contains reflections, news, and spiritual-theological insights. It is available at the Sunday
liturgy. Sacraments (baptism, confirmation, first
communion, reconciliation, and marriage) are
prepared and celebrated as community events.
Minderbroedersstraat 15, bus 0.09
B-3000 Leuven
Tel. 016 20 44 78 or 016 32 08 14
[email protected]
www.kuleuven.be/up/international/englishupic
http://upicleuven.blogspot.com
Responsible: Reimund Bieringer
Masses in English: Sundays at 10:30 am
University Parish - French speaking community - Paroisse Universitaire, communauté
francophone
The University Parish has also a Frenchspeaking, African community.
The community celebrates the Eucharist at 11
am (in French and African languages) in the
chapel of Leo XIII seminary, entrance via Vesaliusstraat 2.
100
Tel. 016 32 55 85
www.kuleuven.be/up/international/francais
Responsable: Catho Schoofs
Masses in French: Sundays at 11 am
Holy Spirit College - Heilige Geest College
In English: Sundays at 11:30 am
www.kuleuven.be/hgc/
Saint Michael’s Church - Sint-Michielskerk
A Roman Catholic Mass is held in Spanish
on Sundays at 12:00 noon.
Naamsestraat 57A • B-3000 Leuven
Contact persons:
Paul Aerts - [email protected]
Juan Carlos Tinjacá - [email protected]
www.sint-michielskerk.be
Anglican
Anglican Church of St Martha and Mary’s,
Leuven
We are an English-speaking International body
of believers in the Anglican Communion.
Our services (in English) are every Sunday at
6:30 pm, at the Justius Lipsius College. We also
enjoy midweek fellowship.
Justius Lipsius College
Minderbroederstaat 15 • B-3000 Leuven.
Contact: Rev. Jack McDonald
[email protected]
Brian Robertson
[email protected]
Shelley Hall
[email protected]
www.anglicanchurchleuven.be
Protestant
There is a Protestant service in Dutch every
Sunday at 10:00 am at Jesuit Church,
Waversebaan 222 • B-3001 Heverlee.
Contact person: Ernst Veen
Tel. 016 22 98 83
[email protected]
www.vpkleuven.be
Evangelical
ICEL - International Church of Evangelicals
in Leuven
Services in the Pauscollege (in English), Hogeschoolplein 3, on Sundays at 10:00 am (separate
nursery and Sunday School for children under
12). Groups: Ichtus Student fellowship, Chinese
fellowship, Nepali Fellowship e.o.
Pauscollege
Hogeschoolplein 3 • B-3000 Leuven
Worship Service: Sundays at 10:00 am
Contact persons:
Kees & Toos Rosies: [email protected]
Sparrendreef 9 • B-3001 Heverlee
www.icel.be
Orthodox
The Orthodox Parish of the Holy Apostle and
Evangelist Mattheos
All services (liturgy – Sundays at 10:00 am - and
vespers – Saturdays at 6:00 pm) in Dutch and
Old-Slavonic, occasionally with some Greek,
English or Romanian.
Contact Person: Priest, Father Alexander
Yavarouski, speaks Dutch and Russian,
Tervuursestraat 56 • B-3000 Leuven
Tel. 0498 83 45 56
[email protected];
www.leuven.orthodoxy.ru/
(website in Dutch, Russian and Greek).
Muslim
International Muslim Students
Association of Leuven (IMSAL)
IMSAL is the official representative of Muslim
students of KULeuven. IMSAL as an international student association has its own Students
Mosque and library in the city center. Moreover, students studying at Heverlee Campus can
enjoy performing prayers in a spacious praying
room on campus. Friday prayers are held always
in two languages (Arabic and either mostly English or Dutch) at 1:00 pm (or 2:00 pm during
summer time) in both the Students mosque
and the praying room.
IMSAL organises frequently various religious,
sports and culture activities around the year.
Muslims and non-muslims are invited to IMSAL
open door event once per semester and other
similar extracurricular activities. You can borrow
any of the listed books on our website for free.
Women can enjoy one of two spaces either inside the mosque or they can always take over
101
the library as they wish for special events.
For more information about IMSAL and Muslim
Halal-food in Leuven please visit our website.
For getting registered please email us.
The Students Mosque:
Rijschoolstraat 25 • B-3000 Leuven
The Campus Praying Room:
Celestijnenlaan 200 L • B-3001 Leuven
(room 00.10)
www.imsal.be • [email protected]
Al Ihsaan Mosque
The mosque is located close to the Leuven train
station and was built by self-help to serve the
Muslim community in Leuven. There is a spacious parking yard that belongs to the mosque.
More important the mosque includes a school
attached to it to teach Muslim children, from
five to 13 years old, Arabic language during
weekends.
Al Ihsaan Mosque
Kolonel Begautlaan 45 • 3012 Leuven
Tel. 016 58 28 97
www.alihsaan.be
4.3.11. Births, Marriages and
Deaths
Registry Office
Burgerlijke Stand
B-3000 Leuven
Tel. 016 27 21 93 • Fax 016 27 29 60
www.leuven.be
Births
You are required to inform the Registry Office of
the birth of your baby within 15 days of the birth.
Forms concerning insurance companies’, birth
premiums and state child allowances can be obtained from the Social Service for International
Students or the Human Resources Department
(for researchers and visiting professors).
The declaration of birth can be done by the
mother, the father or both. You need to bring to
the Registry Office: the attestation of birth from
the hospital, identity cards or passports of both
parents and your marriage booklet or marriage
certificate. If the parents are not married, the
father can only come alone to declare the child,
when a recognition before birth was done previously.
Civil Marriages
The municipal authorities in Belgium only recognise civil weddings, not church weddings.
If you plan to have both a civil and a religious
marriage ceremony, the civil ceremony must
take place first. You do not need to have both
on the same day. All information concerning
marriage and the documents required, can be
obtained at the Registry Office.
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Deaths
The Registry Office must be informed of all
deaths. If death occurs in a hospital, this formality will be normally done by the undertaker, but
has to be paid. You can do this yourself, but you
then need to inquire at the Registry Office. If
death occurs outside a hospital, a doctor must
be called first to certify the death and to determine the cause of death. After that, the registry
office must be informed. It is advisable to ask
for several copies of the death certificate, since
they may be needed for insurance, banks, embassies, etc.
4.3.12. Schools and Child-Care
Services
The Education System
Schools in Belgium provide education from
nursery school to secondary school at little or
no cost, and their academic standards are consistently high. We have several types of education: Community Education (also organised
by the City Council and the Province), Catholic
Education and the Method Schools (Freinet,
Steiner etc.).
There are also some private fee-paying schools
in Brussels, many of which teach in English, and
Jewish schools in Antwerp.
International Students (see p. 54; also www.
leuven.be/leven/onderwijs/lijst-van-onderwijsinstellingen/).
Parents are encouraged to examine the curriculum and visit the schools, so that they can
explain their interests as well as their child’s
situation, problems and “post-Belgium” plans.
The purpose of such a visit is to enable parents
to decide which school offers them the most
appropriate education for their children.
Schools in Leuven can organise special Dutch
lessons for children who don’t speak Dutch yet
(OKAN-classes). For a list of primary schools
that organise OKAN-classes contact:
Onthaalbureau Inburgering Leuven
Ladeuzeplein 17 • Tel. 016 47 43 11
[email protected]
There is also one secondary school that organises such classes:
Sint-Albertuscollege Haasrode,
Geldenaaksebaan 177 • B-3000 Leuven,
Tel. 016 40 50 60
[email protected].
International pupils are welcome in the public
school system. They can study either in Dutch
or in French, depending on the language of the
town or district in which the school is located.
Most international students enroll their children
in a Dutch-speaking school in or around Leuven.
The addresses of all schools in Leuven and surroundings can be obtained at the Social Service -
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Classification of Schools
Dutch/French
Age Type of school /
Type school /
Niveau d’école
2,5 - 6 Kindergarten or Nursery School
Kleuterschool
Jardin d’enfants
6-12 Primary or Elementary School
Basisschool
École primaire
12-18 Secondary School providing
general, technical or vocational
education
Secundaire school of middelbare
school
École moyenne
From 18 Higher Education
Hoger onderwijs
Enseignement supérieure
University education
Bachelor’s – Master’s
Universitair onderwijs
Enseignement universitaire
Professional bachelor’s
(Non-university education)
Nursing, teacher training,
music, technical training
Hoger niet-universitair onderwijs
Enseignement supérieure
nonuniversitaire
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School Fees
Except in private schools, no fees are paid for
kindergarten, primary or secondary education,
which is subsidised by the government. However, you will receive a monthly bill for various
incidental expenses such as trips, swimming,
school magazines, drinks, meals and daycare
after school hours.
For post-secondary education, tuition fees must
be paid. The amount of these fees depends on
the programme of study.
All kindergartens, primary and secondary
schools have a five-day school week (Monday
to Friday, 8:30 am - 3:30/4:00 pm). Note: there
is no school on Wednesday afternoons.
The School Calendar
The school calendar varies every school year
with a few days, but this is the global period:
Kindergarten: 1 September to 30 June
Primary Schools: 1 September to 30 June
Secondary Schools: 1 September to 30 June
School Holidays:
• One week in early November (All Saint’s)
• Two weeks at Christmas
• One week in February or early March
(Carnival)
• Two weeks at Easter
• Two months in the summer period
(July and August)
• Higher Education: July to September
(varies)
Playground Activities during
school holidays
KU Leuven
University Sports Centre organises sports activities for kids from 8 to 16 years old during
two weeks in July and August at the price of
€ 60 or € 70 per week.
Universitair Sportcentrum
Tel. 016 32 91 30 • 016 32 91 31
Fax 016 32 91 95 • [email protected]
www.kuleuven.be/sport/sportaanbod/sportkampen
Don Bosco
During the summer holidays, the children of KU
Leuven international students can join the activities at Don Bosco in Oud-Heverlee and Groene
Zone in Heverlee. For more information about
organisation, costs and any reductions, you can
contact the Social Service,
Naamsestraat 80, Leuven, tel. 016 32 44 36,
https://www.kuleuven.be/socialservices/
[email protected]
City of Leuven
playground activities
During the school holidays, children can take
part in leisure activities organised by the city
department of youth.
On our playgrounds in Heverlee, Kessel-Lo and
Wilsele we welcome toddlers, children and
teenagers. Volunteering adolescents supervise
and entertain them in a rather open system of
fun and play in age groups. “Grabbelpas”, in the
city centre, offers another kind of activities: predefined workshops such as handicrafts, cultural
activities, sports, daytrips, ….
Price depends on the type of activity.
For all of these activities, the child first needs to
be registered at Jeugdcentrum Vleugel F
Brusselsestraat 61a • B-3000 Leuven.
The child will receive a youth centre pass.
Cost: € 5.
The playground activities welcome children for
half a day or a full one. No need to book up
front. Cost: € 5 for the full day, € 2.50 for the
half one. Reduction fees apply.
Time and age schedule of the activities:
• Grabbelpas Leuven: Easter and summer,
for children aged 4 to 15
• Playground Heverlee: Easter and summer,
for children aged 3 to15
• Playground Kessel-Lo: summer,
• Wilsele: summer until August 15th,
More information (addresses, prices,
programme, etc.) on the website
www.mijnleuven.be/jeugdwerk/lijst/speelpleinwerkingen-3 or tel. 016 24 66 90
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Daycare Services
There are a number of daycare centres in the
Leuven area. A list of daycare centres in the
Leuven area is available online at www.kinderopvangleuven.be. You can select English language in the top right corner and make a search
selection. The results will appear at the left.
Bear in mind that most daycare centres have a
long waiting list, in some cases longer than one
year, so you are strongly advised to apply for
a place as soon as possible, from the moment
that you know you are pregnant.
Since November 2011 you need to register online at www.kinderopvangleuven.be, as all applications for child care in Leuven go through
this webpage. First register yourself as a parent
(‘subscribe’ and ‘no account yet’), then add your
partner (if this applies to you). Thirdly you can
add your child(ren) and fill in the application per
child by clicking ‘new demand’.
If you choose ‘child care in group’, you can select 5 priorities out of a list of nurseries. If you
select ‘child care in family’, you will receive a
weekly list with vacant places at child minders
from 6 months before the starting date.
KU Leuven Daycare
The following daycare centres welcome children between six weeks and three years of age.
The cost depends on your income and includes
meals and regular costs. Nappies and bottle
formula are not included. The daycare centres
provide your child with the daily care and education that he/she requires. Children are placed
in small groups. The same person remains in
charge of the same children throughout their
stay there. Concerns? Please ask the staff. On
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Wednesday afternoons and during holidays, the
Peutertuin welcomes children up to six years of
age.
You can find the English website of the
KU Leuven daycare centers at
https://admin.kuleuven.be/personeel/english/day_care_centres.
The KU Leuven day-care centra are:
• KU Leuven Day-Care Babyhome
Tel. 016 32 92 92
Open from 7:30 am until 6:30 pm
• Peutertuin
De Croylaan 8 • B-3001 Heverlee
Tel. 016 32 24 52
• De Villa
Steengroevenlaan 1 • B-3001 Heverlee
Tel. 016 23 32 58
• Kabouterberg
Tel. 016 33 08 60
• ‘t Grootpark
Groot Park 17 • B-3360 Lovenjoel
Tel. 016 46 31 12
For these daycare centres you also need to
register through the web page
www.kinderopvangleuven.be
Daycare for Sick Children
SpeelOdroom
Daycare at home for sick children is provided by
several organisations. After your child has been
examined by a doctor and the necessary documents have been filled out, you can apply for
this service. A qualified child minder will come
to your house, so you can rest assured that your
child will be taken care of while you go to work.
A list of services which provide day care at
home for sick children is available at www.kinderopvangleuven.be. In the near future, it will
also be possible to apply for this service by giving your file number from the online registration
form.
Meeting place for little children (0-3 years) accompanied by a parent, grandparent, or other:
meeting, relaxing, playing, sharing experiences
etc.
Limited daycare
Limited daycare centre ‘t Margrietje
Craenendonck 18 • 3000 Leuven
Tel. 016 27 19 10
Open: Weekdays and Saturday (also during
holidays) from 7:00 am until 6:00 pm
‘t Margrietje offers a flexible solution for
children up to 3 years. Children can come
for a maximum of 20 hours a week.
See www.kinderopvangleuven.be/kinderdagverblijf/show/id/9 for more information.
Daycare for children from
2,5 to 12 years old
Open on Tue, Thu, Fri: from 9:30 am until
12:00 noon, first Sat of the month.
Ravenstraat 69 • 3000 Leuven
Tel. 016 74 71 78 • [email protected]
www.speelodroom.org
Daycare Outside School Hours
When your child starts attending nursery school,
he/she will still be welcome in the university
day-care centres on Wednesday afternoons and
during school holidays. Please note that this
service is only available to children who went to
the university day-care centres.
This will be a good opportunity for your child
to meet with his/her old friends again. These 3
to 6-year-olds are looked after by the nurseryschool teacher and by extra staff working during
the school holidays. Suitable activities (i.e. nature trips, videos, etc.) are organised. Since the
staff is only able to care for a limited number of
children, you must register in advance.
For other out-of-school care facilities,
please consult the web page
www.kinderopvangleuven.be.
Several organisations provide extra-curricular
daycare. Go to www.kinderopvangleuven.be
and click ‘age 2,5 to 12 years old’ to get the correct search results.
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Babysitting Services
The Student Employment Service (see also p. 56)
can help you find a babysitterstudent to take care
of your children. Applications should be made a
few days in advance.
Tel. 016 32 44 34
[email protected]
Babysitting Services of
the “Gezinsbond”
Parents interested in making use of this service
may consult the Gezinsbond’s database which
provides the names of babysitters, as well as
the number of hours that they are willing to
work. The babysitters have been screened beforehand and they are insured.
The prices are fixed per hour. In addition, you
pay a small annual fee to the Gezinsbond.
You have to be a member of the Gezinsbond to
use this service. If your child is born in Leuven,
you automatically become a member of the
Gezinsbond for one year free of charge.
For information and referral services:
Carla Dubuquoit, 0493 72 70 32
(between 8:00 pm and 9:00 pm),
[email protected]
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4.4.Student organisations
4.4.1. KU Leuven
“KU Leuven students are well organised
both in their faculties and in student
associations and organisations.
Student participation is considered very
important at the KU Leuven.”
In this chapter, we explain how international students can get involved and
play a significant role in these organisations.
LOKO
To understand the role of LOKO some background information has to be given. In Belgium
the government made the choice to include students in all organs that determine the university
and country-wide policies concerning higher education. In Leuven, it is LOKO, the student union that acts as a representative of all students
and faculty associations of KU Leuven in all organs deciding on policies ranging from social issues to education. In this extend, LOKO is able
to contribute to all the policies in order to make
sure that the interests of students are protected
and that important issues are resolved quickly.
Within LOKO, three departments are dealing
with Sport, Culture and International matters.
Next to LOKO, a whole range of student faculty associations exist representing students towards the different faculties (student unions on
faculty basis). LOKO acts as an umbrella organisation and coordinates their actions by regularly
gathering their representatives.
Last but not least, LOKO and its departments
are also providing a wide range of individual services and events to students. LOKO for example organises events such as a culture festival
ITHAKA, a major international sport tournament
ICUC and the 24 hour-run. But they also provide
help in case of landlord problems, a party room
Albatros and free material for sports and events.
LOKO
‘s Meiersstraat 5 • B-3000 Leuven
Tel. 016 22 31 09 • Fax 016 22 01 03
[email protected] • www.loko.be
Open weekdays from 10:00 am until
6:00 pm
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These are LOKO’s main
concerns:
Education
Educational matters are followed up both within
the university, and also on the Flemish and the
European levels. LOKO is an active partner in
the establishment of the education policy by
first sending student representatives to various
university bodies including the Academic Council, the Education Council and other working
committees, and by supporting and coordinating actively all the faculty associations.
Student Life
LOKO aims to help minimize socio-cultural barriers for higher education by keeping an eye on
scholarships, Alma- and Accoprices, accommodation... LOKO also offers free legal advice and
helps if you have problems with the deposit of
your student room.
Faculty Student Councils
Coordination
Every two weeks, a general meeting is organised by LOKO during which the representatives
of the Faculty Student Councils gather and
discuss the problems concerning student life.
Cross-councils’ initiatives, agreements with the
town, regulations concerning the organisation
of activities, next to a wide range of other issues, are dealt with during the general meetings. This organisation means that all the faculties and all the students are closely represented
by these directly elected representatives.
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LOKO has five subdivisions:
LOKO Sports
LOKO Sports promotes student participation in
sports by supporting various projects, providing subsidies for the more expensive sports,
running a sports equipment rental service, and
much more. LOKO Sports also holds some
well-known annual events, such as the 24-hour
relay race (October), the student half marathon
(March), and the Leuven International Student
Sports Tournament (ICUC).
LOKO Sports
Gebouw de Nayer (0057)
Tel. 016 32 91 34 • 016 32 91 33
[email protected]
LOKO Culture
LOKO Culture promotes cultural life among
the students in Leuven. They promote different
forms of contemporary art. Together with volunteers, they organise Ithaka, an art festival, and
an Interfacultary Theatre festival. Movies and
concerts are also part of the programme offered
by LOKO Culture.
LOKO Culture
Tel. 016 22 31 09 • Fax 016 22 01 03
Stuk, Naamsestraat 96 • B-3000 Leuven
Tel. 016 32 03 11
[email protected] • cultuur.loko.be
LOKO International
Veto
The role of LOKO International within LOKO is
to represent the growing share of international
students in our student population. Therefore,
LOKO International represents YOU in civic
authorities, city matters and in university meetings concerning foreign students or international programs in order to stand up for your
interests. Our main goal is to make your stay as
comfortable and enjoyable as possible.
Veto is an independent weekly Dutch-language
newspaper created by students. Veto reports
on student life, university affairs and other topics students are concerned with.
Next to this, LOKO international also focuses
on the promotion of activities of two kinds:
first of all, they try to offer newly arrived students a warm welcome by cooperating in the
Orientation Days and the Buddy Programme
(see p. 50). The second kind of activities, is activities that promote integration between international and local students.
The Voice
Last but not least, LOKO International is also
the umbrella organisation for the international
student associations of Leuven that work independently to give students from their country
or faculty a warm welcome and a home away
from home. Such organisations can request
subsidies from LOKO for their activities. LOKO
International also welcomes and supports international students who would like to start a new
association.
The LOKO office is located in Home Vesalius,
where you also find Pangaea. The LOKO International team is eager to deal with your complaints, questions and suggestions.
Pangaea – Home Vesalius
Tel. 016 32 33 95 • Fax 016 32 33 90
[email protected]
international.loko.be
Veto
Tel. 016 22 44 38 • Fax 016 22 01 03
[email protected] • www.veto.be
The Voice is an English-language international
student newspaper by and for the international
student community in Leuven. For all its functions, it relies on volunteers. It is produced
monthly and distributed free of charge throughout Leuven. The content of The Voice depends
on the topics students want to write about.
In this way, The Voice is truly a mouthpiece for
the international student community. Since it
takes a lot more than just writers to keep this
magazine going, The Voice is always looking for
people who are interested in layout, photography and grammatical editing. In other words,
The Voice needs enthusiast people who are
eager to use their imagination. Why not give it
a try? Just come and have a look in our office
in Vesaliusstaat, next to the LOKO International
office or come to our editorial meeting. (Place
and time of the meetings are indicated on the
website.)
The Voice
Tel. 016 32 33 95
[email protected] • www.thevoiceleuven.be
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Student Councils (Studentenkringen)
Some of them have an Erasmus Committee.
Alfa (Archaeology) www.alfa.student.kuleuven.be
Apollonia (Dental Sciences) www.apollonialeuven.tk
Apolloon (Physical Therapy and Kinesiology) www.sportkotapolloon.be
Babylon (Linguistics and Literature) kringbabylon.be/guest-students
Bios (Biology) www.bios.student.kuleuven.be
Canonica (Canon law) www.canonica.be
Chemika (Chemistry) www.chemika.be
Crimen (Criminology) www.crimen.be
Ekonomika (Economics) erasmus.ekonomika.be
Eoos (Eastern and Slavic Studies) www.eoos.be
Farma (Pharmaceutical Science) www.farmaceutica.be
Geologische Kring (Geology) www.geol.student.kuleuven.be
Historia (History) www.hist.student.kuleuven.be
Katechetika (Theology and Religious Studies) www.katechetika.be
KULAK (K.U.Leuven Campus Kortrijk) student.kuleuven-kortrijk.be/portal/
LBK (Bio-Engineering) www.landbouwkring.be
KLA (Speech Therapy and Audiology) www.kla.student.kuleuven.be
Mecenas (Art Studies) www.mecenas-kul.be
Medica (Medicine) www.medica.be
Medisoc (Clinical Nursing and Health Care Management) club.studiant.be/medisoc
Merkator (Geography) www.merk.student.kuleuven.be
Musicologica (Musicology) www.musicologica.be
NFK (Philosophy) www.nfk.be
Pedagogische Kring (Educational Science) www.pedagogischekring.be
Politika (Political and Social Sciences) www.politika.be
Psychologische Kring (Psychology) www.psychokring.be.
VRG (Law) www.vrg.be/Praesidium/Erasmus.html
VTK (Engineering) www.vtk.be/international/
Wina (Mathematics, Informatics, Physics) www.wina.be
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International Student
Associations
Scientica
Scientica is the umbrella organisation of the five
student associations at the Faculty of Science
at KU Leuven: Bios, Chemika, Geos, Merkator and Wina. Scientica consists of three main
parts: Activities: Kringraad, Student representation: OOR and Course-sale service: Cudi.
Probably Scientica’s most interesting part for
you is Scientica International, which aims at
uniting international students with each other
and with local students. Scientica International
itself organise small social activities for international students at the Faculty of Science and
promotes activities organised by the five student associations.
Scientica
[email protected] www.scientica.be/?language=en
Facebook: “Scientica International”
Like Scientica other Faculty Student Councils have a department for international
students (look for their facebook pages):
• Koco International (Faculty of Arts)
• VTK International (Faculty of Engineering)
• LBK International (Faculty of Bio-Engineering)
• Erasmus Law (Law Faculty)
Students’ Association of the
International Theology Section
(SA InTS)
WHO?
“Man does not live by bread alone.” No, we
also need faith, fun and friends! As the Students’ Association of the International Theology Section, we work closely with our friends
at Katechetika – the students’ association of
the Flemish theology section – to nurture the
spiritual and social lives of the international students of the Faculty of Theology and Religious
Studies. We organise activities and inform our
classmates of all the opportunities available to
them. We also support student representation.
ACTIVITIES?
- Welcome activities, spirituality meetings,
talent show, end of the year party, and more.
- Faculty bar meetings: every Wednesday at
10 pm in the M Café next to the M Museum.
- “Coffee & Chai” socials: every Friday from 1
to 3 pm in the student lounge. And it’s free!
- Everybody is always welcome to join in
Katechetika’s activities. They organise movie
nights, sports activities, a Christmas party,
and lots more.
SAIntTS
[email protected]
www.katechetika.be/saints
Facebook: «SAINTS | Katechetika»
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Bana Leuven
Mosaic/Mozaïek
The main goal of Bana Leuven is to promote the
development of Congo. Furthermore, it brings
all those interested in Congo together to let
them taste the richness of this country. To do
this, Bana Leuven organise all kinds of activities
every year: exhibitions, concerts, debates, fund
raising, festivities. Bana Leuven has a very diverse target audience: Congolese, inhabitants
of Leuven, students and anybody who is interested in Congo.
Mosaic/Mozaïek is a group of students who explore the cultural background and specificities
of Egyptians, Lebanese, Palestinians and Syrians. The activities they offer range from movies
to cooking, from poetry to dance. Mosaic emphasizes to keep people as the central theme of
their organisation.
Bana Leuven
[email protected]
www.banaleuven.be
Facebook: “Bana Leuven”
Indian Students Association
(ISAL)
ISAL is a small non-profit association of Indian
students. They come together to share their unity in diversity of cultures, traditions and faiths.
ISAL members gather on the occasion of three
major festivals throughout the year: Christmas,
Holi and Deepawali.
ISAL also exposes its multicultural richness to
non-Indian students, while organizing cultural
events and tours etc. Moreover, ISAL provides
information to those who wish to study at the
KU Leuven, or at any other university in Belgium. They also provide guidance concerning
‘living in Belgium’.
ISAL
[email protected] - www.isal.be
Facebook: Indian Students’ Association Leuven
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Mosaic/Mozaïek
[email protected]
www.freewebs.com/mosaic-kul/
Facebook: “Mosaic/Mozaïek”
The International Muslim
Students Association of Leuven
(IMSAL)
IMSAL is an independent student organisation
of Muslim students in Leuven under LOKO. It
was established in 1984 by KU Leuven’s Muslim
students. The primary aim of IMSAL is to provide a meeting space for Muslims and to promote understanding between different religions
and cultures. It holds inter-faith dialogues and
organise various social and cultural gatherings
to help build bridges. IMSAL is responsible for
maintenance and running of KU Leuven’s Student Mosque in the city center (Rijschoolstraat
25) as well as a praying facility in Heverlee
campus (Room 00.10 200L). For more information please visit our website (www.imsal.be) or
write an email to [email protected].
IMSAL
[email protected] - www.imsal.be
Facebook: “IMSAL”
Chinese Students and Scholars Latin American Students
(CSAL)
Association (ALAS KU Leuven)
The Chinese Students and Scholars Association
of Leuven is a non-profit organisation dedicated to the goal of promoting social, intellectual
and cultural activities for Chinese students and
scholars in Leuven. It will also strive to provide
opportunities and benefits by facilitating life and
study in Belgium.
CSAL is committed to developing unique and
attractive programs and activities locally, nationally and internationally. This enables Chinese
students and scholars in Leuven and all other
individuals who are interested in China and Chinese culture to experience and enjoy a richer,
fuller, and more successful life in Belgium and
beyond. If you have any suggestions, please
contact us.
CSAL
[email protected] - www.csal.be/en
Turkish Students Association
Leuven (TSL)
The Turkish student Association promotes the
emancipation of Turkish students in Leuven.
Their aim is to improve integration of Turkish
students in Leuven as well in intercultural meetings. TSL also organises different activities to
taste the vast Turkish culture.
TSL
[email protected] - www.tsleuven.be
Facebook: www.facebook.com/tsleuven
We are students or staff of the KU Leuven who
are connected, in a variety of ways, to Latin
America. While we recognize a certain degree
of homogeneity among ourselves, we are
equally aware of the rich diversity that characterizes us. We would like to create a communicative network and meeting place for Latin
American students or staff, as well as for those
who share our academic, social, intercultural
and Belgian context.
ALAS KU Leuven
[email protected]
alaskuleuven.wikispaces.com
Facebook: “ALAS KULeuven”
Pakistan Students Association
Belgium – Leuven (PSA)
PSA Belgium is an independent, non-profit and
non-political organisation. It is based on the idea
of assisting new and exiting Pakistani (and international) students, help them integrating in the
society and guide them on various issues. PSA
Belgium represent Pakistan in various forums,
feasts, local events independently as well as
in collaboration with other organisations. Participation to PSA events is open for Pakistani as
well as international students and community
members. PSA
[email protected]
www.psabelgium.be
Facebook: “PSA Belgium”
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Other student organisations
iExchange Leuven
iExchange is a non-profit organization created
by international students to make your time
abroad unforgettable. Feel free to contact us
even from home before you leave! iExchange
is here to help you in all that you need! Get
ready for the most amazing parties in your life,
to discover Belgium, the most beautiful cities of
Europe, and much more! iExchange is open to
you and to your ideas! Please consider joining
the Team or sharing your ideas!
iExchange Leuven
Facebook: www.facebook.com/iExchange.org
& www.facebook.com/iExchangeLeuven.forum
[email protected]
ESN (Erasmus Student Network)
ESN is one of the biggest student associations
in Europe. It’s main goal is to support student
exchanges. ESN Leuven will organize different
kinds of activities throughout the year, involving
cultural activities, sports activities and parties.
We will give the international student the opportunity to get in touch with the Belgian culture and
other students, Belgian and international alike!
ESN
[email protected];
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/esnleuven (‘Erasmus Leuven’).
PhD Society Leuven
The Ph.D. Society is an interfaculty, international student organisation of doctoral students
of the university that aims to promote interaction among Ph.D. students, both international
and Belgian. Activities organised by the Ph.D.
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Society cover academic, social, and career aspects of a doctoral student’s life. Separate committees for each aspect are in place to organise
relevant events on a regular basis such as guest
lectures, corporate seminars, workshops and
weekly drinks. The PhD Society is always on
the lookout for enthusiastic doctoral students
to join one of the committees and participate in
events. Find us on facebook or send us an email
to be added to our list.
PhD Society Leuven
[email protected]
www.phdsociety.be
Facebook: “PHD Society Leuven”
Association des Etats Géneraux
des Etudiants de l’Europe –
Leuven (AEGEE )
AEGEE breaks the boundaries within Europe
and with this also the boundaries of cultures and
stereotypes: it provides mobility for students
and a forum for young people to think about and
work on the future of Europe. In order to achieve
its goals, AEGEE annually organise about 300
events. Each local ‘antenna’ of AEGEE organise such events in which (any) member of other
locals can participate. The members of AEGEELeuven can hence quite easily stay informed of
what’s happening in other parts of Europe and
actively participate in these events. Examples of
such activities are Summer and Winter Universities, conferences on a wide variety of different
topics, international meetings, themed events,
courses and workshops on sustainability, environment, public relations, politics, human rights,
telecommunications, and many more.
AEGEE
[email protected]
www.aegee-leuven.org Facebook: “AEGEE Leuven”
IEEE Student Branch Leuven
The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Student Branch Leuven is an organisation
of/for IEEE members that study at the KU Leuven. The Student Branch consists mainly of engineering students of the senior years that specialize in electrical engineering, computer science
and mechanical engineering and PhD students
of these departments. The organisation offers a
variety of activities ranging from technical-scientific activities (seminars, company visits, etc.) to
cultural activities (beer tasting courses, etc.).
IEEE Student Branch Leuven
[email protected]
www.ieee-sb-leuven.be
KIB - Association for
International Affairs
Since our foundation in 1945, the Kring voor Internationale Betrekkingen (KIB, Association for
International Affairs) aims to inform the KULeuven students about current issues in international affairs. In the recent years we managed to
bring many important speakers to Leuven to present their view on international affairs, such as
a number of secretary-generals of NATO, most
Belgian foreign ministers, eminent academics, respected economists and ambassadors.
KIB – Association for International Affairs
[email protected] - www.kib.be
European Law Students
Association – Leuven (ELSA )
The European Law Students Association is an
association especially for law students. They
organise an introduction course for the political
structure in Belgium and organise trips to destinations of special concern to law students.
ELSA
[email protected]
www.law.kuleuven.be/elsa/en/
Facebook: “ELSA Leuven”
JEF Leuven
is a local section of JEF Europe (Young European Federalists), a youth organisation working
for the creation of a stronger Europe. In Leuven
we try to bring the European Union closer to the
students by means of lectures, debating, movie nights, international evenings and quizzes.
JEF Leuven
[email protected]
Facebook fan page: JEF-Leuven
Support for Heath & Education
in Pakistan – Leuven (SHEP)
SHEP vzw is a non-profit organisation registered
in Belgium. It is dedicated to provide quality education and health services to the people of Pakistan. The primary focus of the organisation is to
revolutionize the social behaviors of the society
using thought-provoking, novel and sustainable
teaching techniques to educate and train the
future generations of Pakistan from their early
ages. Self perceived idea of Pakistani students
studying and working in Belgium (at KU Leuven,
IMEC and VUB) is currently able to finance basic education facilities to around 250 children in
their homeland from own contributions.
SHEP Leuven
[email protected] - www.shepvzw.org
117
Fakbars (Faculty Bars)
• Capsule // Pharmaceutical science
Parkstraat 4 • B-3000 Leuven
• Délibéré // GROUP T - University College
• Doc’s Bar // Medicine
Brusselsestraat 246 • B-3000 Leuven
• Dulci // Economics
• ‘t Elixir // Engineering
Tervuursevest 60 • B-3000 Leuven
• Fakbar Letteren // Arts Faculty
Blijde-Inkomststraat 11 • B-3000 Leuven
• Gnorgl // Bio-Engineering
Waversebaan 71 • B-3001 Heverlee
• Huis der Rechten (HdR) // Law
• Pavlov // Psychology
• Politika Kaffee // Political and social sciences
118
• Sportzak // Physical education
and physiotherapy
Tervuursevest 60 • B-3000 Leuven
• Alegria // Steil
Oude Markt • B-3000 Leuven
• ’t Vervolg // Theology, Chemistry, Geography
Damiaanplein 5 • B-3000 Leuven
• Cuythoek // Dentistry, Geology
Kapucijnenvoer 5 • B-3000 Leuven
• M Café // Katechetica
Savoyestraat 10 • 3000 Leuven
• The Pocket // Diana (KHLeuven)
Minckelersstraat 76 • B-3000 Leuven
• Weirdo’s //
• De Kelten (KHLeuven) // Criminology
• De Colff // Soca (KHLeuven)
• ’t Archief // Didactica (KHLeuven)
Zeelstraat 1 • B-3000 Leuven
• Mephisto // Diana (KHLeuven)
4.4.2. KHLeuven
The student organisations at KHLeuven are
structured slightly differently than at KU Leuven.
There are student councils and student organisations.
College Student Council CSC Overkoepelende
StudentenRaad (OSR )
The student councils voice the students’ opinions on educational and social issues to the directors of the school. They propose suggestions
for making student life more attractive.
Each department at KHLeuven has a student
council (Departementale StudentenRaad or
DSR), composed of student representatives.
First year students are most welcome! The DSR
is mainly concerned with issues like education,
exams, diversity, student restaurant, equipment
of the library and the computer rooms, ...
OSR is the umbrella organisation comprising
these student councils. OSR sends representatives to the board of directors, the general assembly, the academic council and the interdepartemental study programme committee of
the KHLeuven. Via vzw Student Services, OSR
is also occupied with social matters. Finally OSR
co-operates with the city of Leuven, LOKO and
StAL (Student body of council for the Association Leuven).
Overkoepelende Kringraad
(OKeR)
The student organisations organise various cultural and sporting activities, as well as the occasional party. Each department has its own
student organisation. These organisations are
coordinated by the umbrella student organisation (OKeR or Overkoepelende Kringraad), an organisation that has its office in the same room
as OSR. You can keep informed of the activities
being planned by reading the notices placed on
the departmental bulletin boards. You can also
find them on the internet.
OKeR ‘s Meiersstraat 5 • B-3000 Leuven
[email protected] • www.kringraad.be
• De Kelten
(Dept. of Business Studies or ECHO)
www.dekelten.student.khleuven.be
• Diana
(Dept. of Health and Technology or G&T)
www.diana.be
• Didactica
(Dept. of Teacher Education or DLO)
www.didactica.student.khleuven.be
• Soca
(Dept. of Social Work of SSH)
www.soca.student.khleuven.be
• Steil
(Dept. of Health and Technology or G&T)
www.steil.student.khleuven.be
OSR
[email protected]
http://osr.student.khleuven.be
119
4.4.3. GROUP T - International
Student Council GROUP T
The Student Council is the students’ representative body at GROUP T. Its aim is to promote
the interests of GROUP T students and to communicate students’ opinions on educational issues to the professors and the management of
GROUP T.
Studentenraad Campus Vesalius
B-3000 Leuven
Tel. 016 30 10 88
[email protected]
www.studentenraad.be
Industria & Educata
Industria & Educata, the two departmental student unions at GROUP T, organise various student activities during the academic year (sports,
culture, entertainment, and more).
Industria
[email protected]
www.industria.be
Educata
[email protected]
www.educata.be
120
4.4.4. LEMMENSINSTITUUT
(Hogeschool voor Wetenschap &
Kunst)
Participatiecommissie
The “Participatiecommissie” includes the student representatives and the student council.
The former represents the needs and questions
of all our students in several boards and meetings, such as the Faculty Board, the Academic
Board and Social Services. The latter organises
parties, sporting activities, cultural affairs and
many other creative events.
Participatiecommissie
Tel. 016 23 39 67
[email protected]
[email protected]
www.studentenraad.tk95
and safety,
4.5.Police
Emergency
Police
Leuven Police Headquarters
The police department is in charge of maintaining law and order. Leuven students can expect a
visit from a police officer if their party is making
too much noise and the neighbours get annoyed
and complain. Police are also on the lookout for
people riding their bicycle without any lights, or
cyclists who ignore the traffic regulations. Students are encouraged to report incidents to the
police (e.g. if your bicycle is stolen, if you are
involved in a traffic accident, etc.). Police officers are there for your security whenever you
need them.
Tel. 016 21 07 40 • Fax 016 21 07 39
[email protected]
Open weekdays from 8:00 am until
12:00 noon and from 12:30 pm until
4:00 pm (or by appointment)
For emergencies (24 hours a day)
please contact:
Interventieafdeling Algemene Politiezorg
Tel. 016 21 06 10 • Fax 016 21 06 09
Student Police Officer
The Student Officer’s task is to facilitate contact
between students and the police department.
First of all he is a co-ordinator and a mediator.
The students may contact him to report problems, and to request information about organising parties and other events. He can also play
a role in your registration at the Foreigner’s Of-
fice (see Chapter 3 “Formalities upon arrival”, p.
27). Please note that students are expected to
notify this office, or the student officer, when
they leave Belgium for home. Before leaving
the country you need to return your residence
permit.
Nick Vanden Bussche
Philipssite 4 • B-3001 Leuven
Tel. 016 210 610
[email protected]
facebook: studenteninspecteur politie Leuven
Office hours:
• LOKO
’s Meiersstraat 5 • B-3000 Leuven
Tuesday from 12:00 noon until 2:00 pm
or by appointment
• De Moete,
Celestijnenlaan 200 P • B-3001 Heverlee
Monday and Wednesday from 12:00
noon to 2:00 pm (or by appointment)
Bicycles
Bicycle safety
Every year the local police, together with the
KU Leuven and the city services, campaign to
increase bike safety in Leuven. Spot checks for
bicycle ownership are held on a regular basis.
A police patrol can stop you anywhere at any
time. In the worstcase scenario you will get a
fine if the bike you are riding has been reported
as stolen. The most important pieces of advice
to prevent fines and bicycle theft are these:
• do not steal a bike
• lock your bike properly
• register your bike
• report theft
• always use a light on your bike
• be aware of one-way roads
121
Global Action Plan Cyclists
Practical Tips
The Leuven Police has developed a global action
plan for cyclists with four priorities:
driving without lights when this is obligatory,
ignoring a red light (one also has to stop when
turning right!), driving in the wrong direction
and not giving way. These four priorities were
established on the basis of the accident statistics of the past few years.
Rent a safe, fully equipped and registered second-hand bicycle. To prevent theft, get a solid
lock. To prevent accidents and fines, respect the
rights of pedestrians and the local traffic rules.
During the academic year, traffic surveillances
will be held which will focus on the movement
summary offences by cyclists. If you want more
info on how to prevent expensive fines check
out the website: www.kuleuven.be/transportation/pdf/guideforcycling.pdf. It has all the information about the Belgian Highway Code specified for cycling, with lots of pictures of traffic
situations in Leuven.
Bicycle Theft and the Bicycle
Office / Fietsendienst
Bicycle theft is very common in Leuven. A good
lock to secure your bicycle is very important
and always recommended. In Leuven you can
get your bicycle engraved with an ID number.
This is no guarantee against theft, but it helps
to prevent it.
For free engraving go to:
• the Fietsendienst of the local police on
Wednesdays from 1:00 to 3:30 pm and
on Thursdays from 5:00 to 7:30 pm.
• Velo : see page 82
• the yearly engraving campaign in October at
Alma, see www.kuleuven.be/mobiliteit/fiets.
html
If your bicycle is stolen, please report it. Bicycle theft report forms can be found in the offices of VELO, DE WAAG, Pangaea, your faculty
secretariat or the secretariat of your Institute of
Higher Education, as well as at the police office or the Fietsendienst. Also online on www.
police-on-web.be. By reporting theft, you are
supplying the police with the information they
need to recover your bike and to locate you if
they find your bike.
The police can only return a non-engraved bike
when the owner comes to pick it up at the Fietsendienst. Recovered bicycles are stored
there for 6 months. It is advisable to contact the
Fietsendienst first by telephone, before going
there. That way you know for sure whether or
not a removal has taken place.
De Fietsendienst en Arrondissementele
Stallingsplaats van Politie Leuven
De Vunt 2, 3220 Holsbeek
Tel. 016 21 09 90
[email protected]
Open: Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday
from 1:00 pm until 3.45 pm
Thursday from 5:00 pm until 8:45 pm
Saturday from 8:00 am until 11:45 am
Local Anti-Discrimination
Center
See p. 60
122
Crime prevention and
safety Services
Preventiedienst
Tel. 016 21 07 00 • Fax 016 21 06 99
Open Weekdays from 8:30 am until 4:30 pm
and by appointment
Visit the Preventionshop for all information
and display of the best bicycle locks.
www.leuven.be/preventie
[email protected]
This office looks after security matters: traffic safety, burglary, anti-social behaviour, drug
abuse, personal safety, etc. The prevention service is committed to the creation of a safe and
welcoming city both for the inhabitants of Leuven and for its many visitors.
Some tips for your personal
safety
Generally speaking, it is safe to walk on the
streets in Leuven, although you should avoid
walking alone at night and use your common
sense wherever you are:
• Take special care of your passport, travel
documents and tickets and keep them
in a safe place. Photocopy of all these
documents.
• We strongly advise against carrying large
amounts of cash with you.
• When you go out or when you are in
crowded places, look after your purse,
mobile phone, coats and your keys.
• Lock all outside doors and deadlock windows
when you‘re not at home.
• Don‘t leave the front door open for friends
who will arrive later.
• Make sure your television, electronical
equipment, notebook and other valuables
can‘t be seen through a window and never
leave cash or credit cards lying around.
• Always lock your bicycle by its frame and
wheel to a fixed object (more information
about bicycles on page)
• If you have a car, always lock the doors and
don’t leave any valuables in it.
• Leuven is rightly famous for its beers, but
don’t forget you can get a fine for public
drunkenness ... also keep in mind that
Belgian beers are often stronger than the
ones you’re used to, so be moderate!
• Drinking of alcohol in the street and in public
places is not allowed between midnight and
8 AM, but of course this does not mean you
cannot have a drink on a cafe’s terrace.
• Please respect at all times inhabitants’ right
to a quiet night’s rest!
• If you have any safety problems, you can
inform one of the city guards (you can
recognise them by their purple jacket with
the print ‘GEMEENSCHAPSWACHT’) or a
police officer.
• If you have a problem with your neighbours,
discuss it with them first. You can also get
free assistance from a neighbours mediator just contact the preventiedienst.
Robbery in your room
some useful advice
• Do not put valuables where passersby can
easily see them.
• Take valuable goods home with you when
you leave for the weekend or put them away
in a safe place.
• Give your room a lived-in appearance while
away.
• Never leave doors or windows open, even if
you’re only away for a short while.
• Do not hide your keys in those typical “public
123
secret” places such as: under a doormat, in a
flower pot, …
• Marking of valuable goods makes it much
easier to identify stolen goods afterward.
It is recommended to keep an inventory of
serial numbers of appliances, IMEI number of
your cell phone and MAC code of your lap top
computer. For that purpose you may use the
registration card to be found on the web site
of the Leuven police.
• If, in spite of all precautions, you become the
victim of robbery in your room, file a declaration with the police as soon as possible!
Project “Kotfuiven”
House parties are and should remain possible,
but only with the proper respect for your fellow
housemates and neighbours.
Some useful tips
Keep the volume of your stereo down. Keep
your doors and windows closed. Limit the
number of participants in line with the available
space. Appoint someone as the party steward.
Warn housemates and next door neighbours
beforehand with a polite note.
Student Code
As temporary inhabitants of Leuven, we, the
students, together with Leuven inhabitants,
want to work towards a safe, pleasant and livable town. When we go out and have parties, we
do it with respect for the night’s rest of those
who want to sleep. We refrain from vandalism,
unhygienic practices (vomiting, pissing in public, kicking rubbish, …) and we respect the properties of others.
In our dealings with others, we take into account their personal integrity and we refrain
124
from verbal and physical violence, bullying and
threats. We respect our co-tenants and neighbours and we keep our own place quiet and
neat. We voluntarily commit ourselfves to these
values in order to make Leuven a pleasant and
safe town with room for working, studying,
living and going out.
Safety and Security Service
KU Leuven
Bewaking KU Leuven
In cases of emergency or accident within the
university, it is necessary to call or mail the
24-hour KU Leuven emergency number or
emailaddress for a quick and efficient aid of the
right auxiliary services. Moreover the KU Leuven
guards will offer their support to the emergency
services.
Emergency Number KU Leuven (24-hour)
Willem de Croylaan 40 • B-3001 Heverlee
Tel. 2222 • 016 32 22 22
[email protected]
Likewise, if you are robbed within one of the
KU Leuven residences or the university buildings, you can use the same number. We then
help you to make a report for the Police Office.
It is important that you register the identification numbers of your valuables like PC, laptop,
mobile phone (IMEI code).
To avoid theft, please read the precautions on
the following webpages: www.kuleuven.be/
admin/td/niv2/bb-k00.htm.
Security Service KU Leuven
Willem de Croylaan 40 • B-3001 Heverlee
Tel. 016 32 21 65 • Fax 016 32 29 83
[email protected]
Leaving Leuven
for a short time –
formalities
5.1.Leaving
Visa and Belgian ID
For travel outside Belgium for a short period,
regular students should always check first
whether they need a visa for the country of
destination. Especially for trips outside the
Schengen Area, they should also check whether
their Belgian identity cards are still valid for their
return-trip to Belgium.
Travel Leave Application form
In addition for Doctoral students: they should
always inform their promoter about any planned
trips outside Belgium whether for personal
vacation or for study-related purposes. When
travelling for study-related purposes, doctoral
students who receive a scholarship from KU
Leuven should also complete the Travel Leave
Application Form and have it signed by their promoter and their Department Head.
For more information, they can always contact
the KU Leuven International Admissions and
Mobility Unit (see p. 52).
Health Insurance
As regards health insurance coverage when
travelling outside of Belgium, regular students
are advised to inquire at their health insurance
company on how they are covered abroad.
5.2.
Leaving Leuven definitely formalities and
practicalities
Formalities
• Take your ID-card to the City Office (see p.
25); this may be important in case you come
back (in order to receive your visa sooner)
• Inform your bank and your health insurance
company
• Bring your rented bike back to to Velo (see
p. 82). Do the same with your own bike or
sell it.
• If you are expecting important post, have
it forwarded to your home address via
mutapost (www.bpost.be/site/nl/business/
receive_post/absence/mutapost.html)
• Visit to the KU Leuven Shop for your KU Leuven souvenirs (gadgets, KU Leuven clothing
line (t-shirts, sweaters etc.):
KU Leuven Shop
University Hall
Naamsestraat 22
Tel: 016 32 40 16
E-mail: [email protected]
open weekdays from 10:00 am until 5:30 pm
125
Where to leave your unwanted Student Employee
furniture and household items
If you were employed as a student employee
when you leave Belgium?
• There is a rubbish pick-up day for large furniture and household items on 6 July (you
must attach stickers to each item; buy them
at the City Office). Alternatively, you can
dispose of the items at one of the container
parks (also for a fee)
• Re-usable furniture or household items: take
them to Spit or call them (016 26 09 21) to
pick it up (see p. 81).
• Sell it on the internet: Pangaea forum, e-bay,
www.2dehands.be, www.kapaza.be, facebookpages (Pangaea, Iexchange, LOKO International, Leuven Junk Shop) or leave your
household items (only useful and clean pots
& pans, plates, cups, cutlery) at the Housing
Service (Van Dalecollege, Naamsestraat 80)
where other students can pick them up.
126
in 2011, ask your employer for the “281.10”
form and get a blank tax form for the 2012
fiscal year at the Tax Office at Philips site.
Copy the information from the “281.10” form
onto the tax form (for help, see: How to fill in
your tax form) and return it to the Tax Office.
Web: www.kuleuven.be/english/tax.html
Tax Form
The Social Service (see p. 55) can help you to
fill in your tax form. If you are expecting a tax
rebate next year, it is advisable to keep your
Belgian bank account or give the Tax Office
authorisation to transfer the rebate to a foreign
account number. If you are expecting other bills,
please send those services your new address.
Web: www.kuleuven.be/english/tax.html Dealing with the ‘new’
experiences, feelings and
expectations at home:
tips for your re-adjustment
Facing some challenges when travelling to a
new country, speaking a different language
and learning the dynamics of another culture
is expected. But going home?... We know that
place! When returning home, you may not
realise how much you have changed after
being gone. In adjusting to life in a new culture
your perceptions, habits and maybe even values
have changed – perhaps unawares – to help you
fit in in the cultural context of your host country.
While abroad, you probably held on to a wonderful mental picture of your home environment
only to find, when you return home, that reality
may not always measure up to that picture.
Family members are often surprised by the behaviour of returnees. They expect that the same
person who boarded the airplane one year ago
will be returning. Especially if they have never
been abroad, your parents and siblings probably
won’t understand the magnitude of the study
abroad experience and the changes it can bring
about in a person. While abroad, you may have
become more independent, structuring your life
as you wished. Back home, you may be expected to conform again to the lifestyle of your family, giving up some of that freedom. As a result
you may interpret your family’s involvement in
your life as overprotective and restrictive.
Your friends may also find that you have grown
apart from them, that you no longer share the
same interests. Or, you may find that your old
friends no longer meet your present needs. It
may become necessary to find new friends,
to seek out other students who have studied
abroad, who will be able to relate to your experience and support you as you re-adjust at home.
Communication can help you face these challenges. Tell your family and friends how you
feel. They will be eager to help you and understand your re-adjustment. This does not mean
that you have to renounce your experience
and give up everything you’ve learned! Learn
to strike a balance between the old and new,
just as you did when first adapting to your host
country’s culture.
Don’t be offended if your friends don’t appear enthusiastic about your stories. They may have no
connection to the people and places in your stories. It is also possible that some might be jealous of the opportunity you’ve had and may think
that you are bragging or showing off. Avoid going
into too much detail about the people you met
or about complicated issues that your friends
may know nothing about. Refrain from making excessive and unnecessary comparisons
between your country and your host country.
Also remember that time didn’t stop at home
while you were gone. Life went on and there
are matters that now concern your friends that
may have nothing to do with your time abroad,
but that are as important to them as your experience is to you.
Recognise the changes that have occurred in
you and the new skills you have learned as a
result of your study abroad experience. These
skills can serve you well as you reintegrate into
life at home, at your home campus and as you
prepare for your future.
Be proud of your new experience!
Comments, suggestions on
[email protected]
127
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Martelarenplein 7
B-3000 Leuven
Belgium
Tel. +32.16.221349
www.industriehotel.be
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3000 Leuven
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Living in Leuven

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